Trevor Ng
Phil Mickelson is one of the most decorated golfers ever, with over 700 weeks in the top 10 of the Official World Golf Ranking. In 2022, he lost several sponsors after making comments about the Saudi-backed golf league, LIV Golf. Despite this, he remains a LIV Golf fixture, and in 2023, he made what many viewed as the performance of the tournament at the Masters. However, Mickelson has hinted that he is considering retiring from his stellar golf career, saying in a 2024 interview, I'm 53 now and my career, you know, if I'm being truthful it's toward its end.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Retirement | Phil Mickelson has not officially retired from golf, but has hinted at it, saying "I'm 53 now and my career, you know, if I'm being truthful it's toward its end." |
| Current Golf Activity | As of 2024, Mickelson is a LIV Golf fixture, but his playing days could be numbered. He has not shown much game since his 2023 Masters runner-up performance. |
| Sponsorships | In 2022, Mickelson lost several sponsors, including KPMG, Amstel Light, and Workday, after making comments about the Saudi-backed golf league, LIV Golf. |
| Health | Mickelson was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis in 2010 and has since endorsed the drug Enbrel. |
| Career Wins | As of 2025, Mickelson has had 45 career wins. |
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What You'll Learn
Phil Mickelson's career achievements
Phil Mickelson is one of the most decorated golfers ever. He has spent more than 25 consecutive years in the top 50 of the Official World Golf Ranking and over 700 weeks in the top 10. He has reached a career-high ranking of No. 2 several times and is a life member of the PGA Tour.
Mickelson has had a long and illustrious career. He attended Arizona State University on a golf scholarship and became the face of amateur golf in the United States. He won three NCAA individual championships and three Haskins Awards (1990, 1991, 1992) as the outstanding collegiate golfer. In 1990, he became the first left-handed golfer to win the U.S. Amateur title. Mickelson secured perhaps his greatest achievement as an amateur in January 1991, winning his first PGA Tour event, the Northern Telecom Open in Tucson.
Mickelson has won 45 career titles, including three major championships: the PGA Championship in 2005, the Masters Tournament in 2010, and the WGC-CA Championship in 2009. He also won the Masters Tournament in 2006 and 2004, making him a three-time Masters champion. In 2004, he tallied his career-low for an 18-hole round: a 59 at the PGA Grand Slam of Golf in Hawaii.
Mickelson is known for his aggressive playing style and powerful, sometimes inaccurate, driving. His short game draws the most positive reviews, especially his daring "Phil flop" shot. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2012 and the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame in 2008.
Despite his impressive career, Mickelson has faced recent setbacks. In 2022, he lost several sponsors after making controversial comments about the Saudi-backed golf league, LIV Golf. He was also suspended by the PGA Tour that year for participating in a conflicting event without permission. However, at the 2023 Masters Tournament, Mickelson made a remarkable comeback, finishing tied for second with a score of 65.
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His performance at the 2023 Masters Tournament
Phil Mickelson's performance at the 2023 Masters Tournament was viewed by many as the performance of the tournament. Beginning the final day ten shots off the lead, he finished in second place. He carded a Sunday 65, equalling his lowest score at Augusta 27 years earlier. In the last seven holes, he scored five birdies and two pars.
Mickelson's playing style is described as "aggressive" and highly social. His strategy towards difficult shots tends to be considered risky. He is known for his powerful and sometimes inaccurate driver, but his excellent short game draws the most positive reviews, most notably his daring "Phil flop" shot.
Mickelson's performance at the 2023 Masters Tournament was especially noteworthy given his absence from Augusta in 2022. The 52-year-old's resurgence at the tournament was a return to normalcy, as he flew under the radar at the Champions Dinner the previous year.
Mickelson himself acknowledged the significance of his performance, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to compete and perform well at such a prestigious tournament. His play at the 2023 Masters demonstrated his continued competitiveness at the highest level, even as most players his age are finding their footing on the PGA Tour Champions.
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Loss of sponsors in 2022
Phil Mickelson is one of the most decorated golfers ever, with over 25 consecutive years in the top 50 of the Official World Golf Ranking. In 2022, however, he lost several sponsors after making controversial comments about the Saudi-backed golf league, LIV Golf.
Mickelson had stated that he understood if his sponsors wanted to "pause or end the relationship" due to the controversy surrounding his comments. In an interview, he referred to the Saudis as “scary motherfuckers to get involved with". He acknowledged their involvement in the killing of Washington Post reporter and U.S. resident Jamal Khashoggi, their horrible human rights record, and their execution of people for being gay. Despite this, he expressed his interest in the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reshape how the PGA Tour operates.
Following these comments, KPMG was the first of Mickelson's sponsors to announce that they were mutually ending their sponsorship. They were followed by Heineken/Amstel Light, who also chose to cut ties with the golfer. Workday soon released a similar statement, expressing their thanks to Mickelson for his contributions as a brand ambassador. Callaway also decided to end their partnership with Mickelson, citing disappointment in his choice of words and comments against the Saudi-backed league.
As a result of these losses, Mickelson's website listed only six remaining sponsors, with four others having already opted out of their business relationships with him. The fallout with sponsors came as a surprise to many, given Mickelson's impressive golf career and the lengthy history some of these sponsors had with him.
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Phil Mickelson's health
As of my cut-off date, Phil Mickelson has not officially announced his retirement from professional golf, although there has been speculation about his future in the sport due to his advancing age and recent health issues.
At the age of 52, Mickelson has achieved an illustrious career, winning major championships across five different decades and securing a total of 45 PGA Tour wins. However, his recent form has been impacted by a string of health-related issues.
In May 2022, Mickelson underwent a 'minor' procedure on his neck, which forced him to withdraw from multiple tournaments, including the PGA Championship, where he was set to defend his historic 2021 victory. The surgery was reportedly successful, and Mickelson made a swift return to competition, competing in the LIV Golf Invitational Series event in London just a few weeks later.
However, questions have arisen about his long-term health and whether he can continue to perform at the highest level. Mickelson has spoken openly about managing physical ailments, including psoriatic arthritis, which can cause joint pain and swelling. This condition likely impacts his ability to practice and recover between tournaments.
Despite these challenges, Mickelson has demonstrated a tenacity and determination to continue competing. He has made adjustments to his schedule and practice routines to manage his health effectively. It is clear that Mickelson still possesses the skill and competitive spirit to perform on the golf course, and he continues to attract attention and interest from fans and sponsors alike.
While Mickelson has not explicitly addressed retirement plans, his focus seems to be on maintaining his health and competing in select tournaments that align with his schedule and physical capabilities. It remains to be seen how much longer he will remain active on the professional circuit, but his impact on the sport is undeniable, and his enduring presence continues to inspire golfers of all ages.
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His future in golf
Phil Mickelson has had a stellar career in golf. He has spent more than 25 consecutive years in the top 50 of the Official World Golf Ranking, with over 700 weeks in the top 10, and has reached a career-high ranking of No. 2 several times. He is a life member of the PGA Tour and was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2012.
However, in recent years, his future in the sport has become uncertain. In 2022, Mickelson lost several sponsors after making controversial comments about the Saudi-backed golf league, LIV Golf. Despite this, he remains a LIV Golf fixture, and his involvement with the HyFlyers team, of which he is captain, is expected to be long-term.
At the age of 54, Mickelson has acknowledged that his playing career may be coming to an end. In a 2024 interview, he stated, "I'm realistic with where I'm at... I see glimpses and my teammates see glimpses of me being where I expect to be able to compete at this level, but I'm also realistic with myself, and if I'm not able to I'll step aside."
Mickelson's most recent performance at the 2023 Masters Tournament, where he finished as a runner-up, was viewed by many as a highlight of the tournament. Despite this, he has not shown much game since then, and his future as a player remains uncertain. While his playing days may be numbered, Mickelson's impact on the sport and his legacy as one of the most decorated golfers ever are undeniable.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Phil Mickelson has not retired from golf, but he has hinted that he is considering it. In a 2024 interview, the 53-year-old said, "I'm 53 now and my career, you know, if I'm being truthful it's toward its end."
Phil Mickelson is one of the most decorated golfers ever. He has spent over 700 weeks in the top 10 of the Official World Golf Ranking and has a career-high ranking of No. 2. He has won three NCAA individual championships and three Haskins Awards (1990, 1991, 1992) and was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2012.
Phil Mickelson has not been performing at his usual level in recent years. He has also lost several sponsors after making controversial comments about the Saudi-backed golf league, LIV Golf.
