Phil Mickelson's reason for delaying retirement as LIV golfer faces tough decision

Phil Mickelson's reason for delaying retirement as LIV golfer faces tough decision Newspoint | 2024-02-14T23:44:14+08:00

Phil Mickelson will delay retirement for as long as possible as the six-time major champion still harbours hopes of clinching the U.S. Open.

Mickelson’s dream is to win the U.S. Open and complete the career slam. He’s finished second at the event on six occasions while winning three Masters titles, two PGA Championships, and one Open Championship.

Although he’s no longer qualifying via the rankings as LIV Golf stars don’t earn ranking points, Mickelson should still receive invites from Augusta, USPGA and The Open as a former winner. He should also get an invite to the U.S. Open after winning the USPGA at Kiawah Island in 2021, where he became the oldest major championship winner in history at the age of 50 years, 11 months, and 7 days.

The victory was crucial in terms of securing invites to the next few U.S. Open events too as winning a major gets Mickelson an invite to all four majors for the next five years. Amid rumours of his retirement once his current LIV Golf deal expires, Mickelson won’t walk away from golf just yet as he is still eyeing U.S. Open glory - and his heroics in 2021 prove he cannot be dismissed due to age.

After receiving a special exemption to play at the U.S. Open in 2021, Mickelson - who will also receive a special exemption for The Masters and PGA Championship for life as a former champion - said: “Winning the U.S. Open has been a lifelong and elusive dream, and I’ve come close so many times.

“You can’t win if you don’t play. I’m honored and appreciative of the USGA for the opportunity and look forward to playing in my hometown on a golf course I grew up on.”

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Mickelson is still in search of a U.S. Open win to complete the career grand slam. Should he claim the elusive title, Mickelson would become just the second player in U.S. Open history to do so on a special exemption; the only player who has accomplished such a feat was Hale Irwin in 1990 at Medinah.

In February 2022, the American outlined his retirement plans with the key caveat as he told Golf Digest : “If I win the US Open, I will retire. That would be my last tournament. I will have achieved the career Grand Slam and I won’t have anything more to prove.”

According to Mickelson's biographer Alan Shipnuck, the 53-year-old's next contract with LIV Golf could be one as a non-playing captain. Each of the team captains were handed a four-year deal from Greg Norman and co, and players will reportedly re-enter negotiations with LIV towards the end of 2025.

If Mickelson steps away from playing at the end of his contract, it will mean he enjoyed a short spell with LIV Golf. In 20 events on the LIV circuit, Mickelson has just two top-10 finishes to his name, struggling to replicate the form that made him one of the sport's greatest players during his time on the PGA Tour.