Phil Mickelson isn’t just a name etched into golf’s history books—he’s one of the legends who defined an era. Six-time major winner. Three-time Masters champion. The man who brought flair, risk-taking, and a touch of rebellion to Augusta National. But now, at 54, Lefty finds himself not just chasing glory, but chasing belief, redemption, and one last magic moment under the Georgia pines. With the 2025 Masters set to tee off April 10–13 at Augusta National, returning champions always get the spotlight—but few command attention quite like Mickelson. After his very public split from the PGA Tour and full dive into LIV Golf, many thought Phil’s best days were behind him, almost writing him off. But in typical Phil fashion, he’s stirred the pot once again.
Mickelson is one of only five golfers to have won a green jacket thrice. Another green jacket would put him alongside the Arnold Palmer, with four. Only Tiger Woods (5) and Jack Nicklaus (6) would have more. That’s not just history—it’s immortality. And guess what? His form’s peaking at just the right time. He looked sharp in Hong Kong. He was a factor in Miami. Speaking after his final round at the 2025 LIV Golf Miami, Mickelson revealed his plans for the Masters: “Yeah, I’m playing really well. I’m playing good golf. I’m driving it well. I’m hitting good iron shots, putting it well. I’m looking forward to competing at Augusta, a course I know very well, and feel like I have the game now and am hitting the shots to compete.” Now, this is definitely a topic of speculation among fans.
‘Not at all sure he’s capable of 4 days anymore’: Fans doubt Mickelson’s Masters run
This weekend, Mickelson is currently standing at T2 in LIV Golf Miami — heading into the final round — and golf writer Dan Rapaport wasn’t shy in spinning the “what if” wheel. “Phil T2 at LIV Miami right now. Already a third-place finish this year. One more run in him at Augusta?? Stranger things have happened,” said Rapaport.
Phil T2 at LIV Miami right now. Already a third-place finish this year.
One more run in him at Augusta?? Stranger things have happened.
— Dan Rapaport (@Daniel_Rapaport) April 6, 2025
That was all it took. The replies? Brutal. Because while Mickelson’s golf game might be flashing signs of life, the fans’ faith in a Masters miracle isn’t quite keeping up. One of the bluntest replies cut right to the chase: “Just delete your account if you think he has a remote chance.” No nuance, no hesitation—just full rejection. It echoed a growing sentiment among fans who see Phil’s recent flashes of form as smoke and mirrors. Age, rust, and a dramatically different competitive environment post-PGA Tour make a Masters miracle feel far-fetched to this crowd.
Then came the LIV critics. If there’s one thing golf fans can agree on lately, it’s that LIV performances come with an asterisk. One user scoffed, “Who? What? LIV come on man…” Another added a zinger that had many nodding along: “ competing in a member guest is a little different than Augusta.” To these fans, a T2 in a LIV event holds as much weight as a casual round at the local club—entertaining maybe, but hardly preparation for golf’s grandest stage.
Others brought up a more psychological angle. The pressure of Augusta isn’t just about the course—it’s about the crowd, the cameras, the noise. “He will crumble playing in front of crowds again,” one user wrote, suggesting that after years in LIV’s quieter, more insulated atmosphere, Phil might struggle with the full glare of major championship attention.
Still, a handful of replies offered a glimmer of support, or at least a willingness to roll the dice. “I can see it. I might even sneak him into a Draftkings lineup or 2,” one fan replied, half-joking, half-hopeful. After all, this is Phil Mickelson—if anyone knows how to stir the pot and throw a wrench into predictions, it’s him. And for fantasy golf players, sometimes that wildcard energy is exactly what you need.
And then came a more measured take, one that probably speaks for the silent majority. “I have no doubt he’ll make a run, but not at all sure he’s capable of 4 days anymore.” It’s a fair point. Mickelson has always had the flair for one magical round, a jaw-dropping Saturday that turns heads. But four consecutive days of grinding Augusta’s undulating greens and punishing pin placements? That’s a different beast entirely.
So where does that leave us? Well, with Phil, it’s never black and white. He’s made a career out of doing the improbable—winning at 50, flirting with chaos, leaning into the crowd’s energy, even when it’s skeptical. But this time, the roar isn’t quite roaring. It’s more of a murmur… a raised eyebrow… a “yeah, right.”
Still, it’s Augusta. It’s Phil Mickelson. And stranger things have happened.
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