Almost three years in the league and no wins in sight. Sounds like a disaster, right? Well, that’s the professional life 6-time major winner Phil Mickelson has been leading ever since he joined LIV Golf back in 2022. Since his impressive 2021 PGA Championship win, Mickelson’s game has steadily declined, with finishes of 39th in 2023, 46th in 2024, and currently 36th in the standings. Age has been a significant factor, and the magic that once defined his game, like his memorable 2016 Open Championship performance, seems like a distant memory.
One major issue for Mickelson is his distance off the tee, averaging only 273 yards, the shortest on the LIV tour, leaving him trailing behind power hitters like Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka. In the latest press conference at the Hong Kong Golf Club, Phil Mickelson opened up about the struggles he’s faced in recent years, trying to adapt to a game that’s rapidly changing. “I’ve been fighting it the last three years, trying to play the way I’ve always played,” he confessed, acknowledging that his signature style is no longer enough to compete with the likes of Bryson DeChambeau and other LIV superstars. Despite his current challenges, Mickelson’s impressive past performances are still fresh in the minds of his peers.
John Daly recently praised Mickelson’s incredible performance at the 2016 Open Championship, calling it “one of the greatest Majors I’ve ever seen in my life.” Daly recalled Mickelson’s stunning final round, shooting a 65, but ultimately coming up just short and that is exactly what Mickelson wants to get rid of. With courses getting longer and players hitting farther, Mickelson knows he needs to find a new way to play if he wants to reclaim his form.
So, what’s his new strategy? Mickelson’s approach is all about minimizing mistakes and playing smarter rather than relying on brute force. “I’ve got to eliminate those bogeys,” he emphasized, referencing his recent rounds where he’s made multiple birdies but also costly errors. By focusing on precision and strategy, Mickelson believes he can still shoot low scores and compete with the best. But that’s not all – LIV Golf’s latest Instagram post also dropped a tantalizing hint at Mickelson’s secret strategy, quoting the golf legend himself: “I’m trying to beat these guys in a different way.”
Well, whatever Lefty’s plan must be, it sure doesn’t seem to be working out.
Phil Mickelson under scrutiny at the LIV Golf Hong Kong
Phil Mickelson’s impressive start at the LIV Golf Hong Kong event, where he shot a 67, three-under-par, has been somewhat overshadowed by the controversy surrounding his putting technique. Mickelson has been using the AimPoint method, which has drawn criticism from some, including former U.S. Open winner Lucas Glover. Glover has called for the technique to be banned, citing its slow pace and “rude” nature. However, Mickelson swears by AimPoint, crediting it and his caddie Jon Yarbrough’s expertise for his improved putting. “Jon Yarbrough has really helped me because he is very good with AimPoint and tells me it’s a one, it’s a two, and then the grain is doing this, and if it’s going with it I’ll give a little more, if it’s going against I’ll give it a little less,” Mickelson explained. This level of detail and collaboration with his caddie has clearly paid off, and Mickelson’s results speak for themselves.
But Mickelson isn’t the only pro who’s found success with AimPoint. Collin Morikawa, another advocate of the technique, echoes Mickelson’s sentiments, saying: “From my perspective, AimPoint has 1,000 percent helped me… It gets a basis of how I read a putt and how I start my lines.” With top golfers like Mickelson and Morikawa singing the praises of AimPoint, it’s clear that this technique is here to stay. But what do you think? Do you think AimPoint is a game-changer, or do you agree with Lucas Glover that it’s slow and “rude”? Let us know in the comment section below!
The post Struggling Phil Mickelson Fires 9-Word Message to Bryson DeChambeau & Co. Amid Fight to Reclaim His Form appeared first on EssentiallySports.