Phil Mickelson has always found ways to stay competitive, and now he’s embracing an alternative approach — one that focuses on precision rather than power. After his first round at Hong Kong Golf Club, where he shot 3-under with seven birdies and four bogeys, Mickelson reflected on a key shift in his game.
“I think that the last couple years I’ve been kind of fighting it, meaning I’ve been playing not inside myself, trying to overpower a course where I don’t have the speed like the guys with 190,” Mickelson admitted. “This off-season I thought, all right, I’ve got to find another way. I’ve got to find another way to shoot scores and try to beat these guys.”
His shift in mindset comes as John Daly recently praised Mickelson’s unforgettable 2016 Open Championship duel with Henrik Stenson. On Mickelson’s YouTube channel, Daly called it the “greatest major” he’s ever witnessed.
Phil Mickelson shot 3 under in his first round at Hong Kong Golf Club, making 7 birdies and four bogeys. He described a new approach he’s going to be taking going forward in his game.
“I think that the last couple years I’ve been kind of fighting it, meaning I’ve been playing… pic.twitter.com/7SdzrQxoTg
— Tee Times (@TeeTimesPub) March 8, 2025
Instead of chasing distance, Mickelson looks to eliminate mistakes and make smart plays. “The way I’m going to have to find another way to win is less mistakes. I can’t afford to make that many bogeys.”
Lefty might just find another way to outplay the big hitters if he can refine this strategy.
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