Phil Mickelson Hints at Final U.S. Open Appearance as Career Sunset Looms
Twelve years after his emotional 2013 Open Championship win, where he boldly declared his quest to complete the career Grand Slam, Phil Mickelson is now facing what could be his final shot at U.S. Open glory. As the legendary golfer prepares for Oakmont, retirement rumors are swirling once again—and this time, they may carry more weight than ever.
Mickelson’s Quiet Admission: “High Likelihood It Will Be My Last”
During a recent media session in Virginia ahead of the LIV Golf event, Mickelson admitted, *“There’s a high likelihood that \[this U.S. Open] will be \[my last], but I haven’t really thought about it too much.”* It’s a notable shift from past deflections, especially as his eligibility to compete in the U.S. Open—granted by his 2021 PGA Championship win—is set to expire.
At age 54, Mickelson is struggling to remain competitive. In seven LIV Golf events this season, he’s only cracked the top 10 twice and missed the cut at both the Masters and PGA Championship. Despite his three Masters titles and career longevity, the U.S. Open remains the only major to elude him.
Fan Reactions Split: Legacy or Letdown?
As expected, Mickelson’s comment drew a mixed response online. Some dismissed it harshly with comments like, *“No one cares,”* while others expressed nostalgia and support: *“I’ll definitely be rooting for his last chance at the Grand Slam.”*
One fan noted the weight of history: *“Kind of a bummer. Six second-place finishes. Hopefully this is the one.”* Indeed, Mickelson’s U.S. Open heartbreak is legendary, finishing runner-up six times—starting with Payne Stewart at Pinehurst in 1999, and most painfully, the 2006 collapse at Winged Foot.
A Career of Almosts—and One Final Try
In 2006, needing only a par on the 18th to win, Mickelson’s meltdown remains one of the most infamous endings in major history. “I still am in shock that I did that. I just can’t believe I did that. I’m such an idiot,” he said afterward.
And yet, despite heartbreak and age, Mickelson is not ruling out a miracle finish. If he were to win at Oakmont, he once told *Golf Digest*, it would be the perfect ending: *“If I win the U.S. Open, I will retire. That would be my last tournament.”*
The Grand Slam Dream—One More Shot
Mickelson holds lifetime exemptions to the Masters and PGA Championship and can compete at The Open until age 60. But the U.S. Open? This could be his last dance. Fans and critics alike are watching closely to see if the six-time runner-up can finally claim the prize that’s haunted his otherwise storied career.
As the 2025 U.S. Open tees off, one question looms: will this be Phil Mickelson’s farewell… or his fairytale finish?