Phil Mickelson finished 50th at LIV Golf’s Greenbrier event (Image: X: @livgolf_league / Getty)
Phil Mickelson had a torrid time at LIV Greenbrier as he finished way down the field and a whopping 19 shots behind winner Brooks Koepka. But the Californian reminded fans why he is considered one of the greats by producing a moment of brilliance.
Setting up for his second shot at the par-5 12th, Mickelson took the gutsy option of hitting a driver off the deck. For a shot which can so easily go wrong, fans were wowed by the 54-year-old’s effort as the ball faded onto the green and ended 10 feet from the hole.
It was arguably the shot of the event from a player who finished in 50th place, with only four competitors below him in the final leaderboard.
Mickelson’s moments of magic are becoming fewer and further between as he ventures into the twilight of his career. Of the 12 LIV Tour events the American has started in 2024, he has only managed one top-10 finish.
And Mickelson has suggested that it may not be too long before he is tempted to walk away from the sport. “I see glimpses and my team-mates see glimpses of me being where I expect to be able to compete at this level,” he explained. “But I’m also realistic with myself.
“If I’m not able to, I’ll step aside and let somebody come on in and take the HyFlyers to new levels. I’m in every major on the regular tour next year, and I’ll be in three of the four majors for the next six, seven years.
“I would love to compete and give myself a chance to win in those, and I also want to build this out and create a culture that is sustainable and that people strive to be a part of.”
Those comments follow similar suggestions earlier this year, when Mickelson told Bloomberg TV: “My career, you know, if I’m being truthful, it’s towards its end. Now, I would like to help others find the same enjoyment and fulfillment that the game of golf has provided me.”
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With Mickelson out of contention at The Greenbrier in West Virginia over the weekend, Koepka took his second LIV Tour victory of the year and his fifth overall by edging out Jon Rahm in a tense play-off.
“This is probably my favourite one,” said Koepka. “It’s always good when you have to battle good players, and Jon is a hell of a player. For whatever reason, he has always got the better of me a little bit as of late. It feels nice just to get one.”
Brooks Koepka took the win in West Virginia (Image: Getty)
