Mickelson Aims for Reinvention… and Misses
Heading into the 2025 PGA Championship, Phil Mickelson knew he couldn’t compete with the booming ball speeds of younger players like Bryson DeChambeau and Aldrich Potgieter. So, the 54-year-old LIV veteran set out with a new plan: sharpen his iron game and rely on precision instead of power. Unfortunately, that strategy didn’t survive past Quail Hollow’s brutal bunkers.
Disaster on Day 1, Collapse on Day 2
Mickelson’s opening round was a nightmare—seven bogeys and a triple bogey on the 7th left him at 8-over par. Fans still held out hope that “Lefty” could claw back, especially after a string of four birdies in five holes on Friday briefly lit up the leaderboard. But that momentum came to a screeching halt on the 12th, where Mickelson needed *four shots* to escape a greenside bunker, carding a quadruple bogey that ended his run.
Social Media Reacts: From Sympathy to Sarcasm
Clips of Mickelson’s bunker struggle went viral, with fans joking that he looked more like a YouTube amateur than a six-time major winner. Golf analysts like Neil Schuster and DJ Piehowski described him as “undialed” and overly reliant on hero shots. “He keeps trying to hit this miracle bunker shot,” Piehowski said. “Just get it out, Phil.”
Iron Game Falls Flat
Despite a solid showing off the tee—ranking 7th in strokes gained in round 2—Mickelson’s iron play was abysmal. He ranked 87th on day one and 76th on day two for approach shots. For a golfer betting on precision, his misses weren’t just off—they were costly.
Another Rough Outing for LIV Golfers
Mickelson wasn’t the only one to flop. Out of 16 LIV Golf participants, only eight made the cut. Big names like Brooks Koepka, Patrick Reed, and Dustin Johnson all exited early. Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau and Richard Bland were the only LIV golfers in contention, both tied at T17.
Legacy at a Crossroads
Phil’s quest for a 7th major seems increasingly unlikely as age and inconsistency catch up with him. The game’s changed, and while he’s tried to evolve, Quail Hollow proved that reinvention without execution won’t cut it—especially not at this level.
Mickelson may still have moments of brilliance, but unless his iron play catches up to his vision, he’ll remain a fading legend in a field dominated by rising stars.
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