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Learn MorePhil Mickelson made quite the impression on viewers during his television debut at the PGA Championship.
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Making your live television debut at a major championship is a bit like jumping from the high dive without knowing how to swim. That is unless you’re Phil Mickelson.
The five-time major champion made his TV debut during CBS’s third round broadcast of the PGA Championship Saturday, much to the delight of golf fans everywhere. Right off the bat, Phil was vintage Phil, cracking saucy jokes and displaying the extroverted charm that’s made him one of golf’s most beloved players.
If social media is any indication, Phil’s sky-high Q-score might have raised even higher on Saturday. Here’s the best of the response:
Duct tape Phil Mickelson to that chair and don't let him leave until 8:30 pm on Sunday.
— Shane Bacon (@shanebacon) August 8, 2020
Phil Mickelson to Faldo in the booth pic.twitter.com/V2k9sPy6nr
— LKD (@LukeKerrDineen) August 8, 2020
Phil Mickelson is as good talking about golf as anyone is talking about anything. #PGAChampionship
— Mike Greenberg (@Espngreeny) August 8, 2020
Surprisingly entertaining and insightful…plus the ribbing of Faldo is priceless!
— LaMont Battle (@lboogie_773) August 8, 2020
I think @PhilMickelson seems so comfortable, telling stories, being insightful and knows when to lay out. Not as easy as he’s making it seem.
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) August 8, 2020
If sports networks were smart they’d create a broadcast team of Peyton Manning and @PhilMickelson. Any sport. Any salary. The ratings and quality would have no ceiling!
— Joey Buchta (@JEBuchta07) August 8, 2020
Phil Mickelson on a golf broadcast reminds me a lot of Tony Romo doing NFL analysis. You just hear them say really interesting things that no one else says. Cool perspective.
— Ten Stadiums Ten Days ⚾️ (@StadiumsTen) August 8, 2020
. @PhilMickelson a natural in the commentary booth. Proper insights 👏
— Evin Priest (@EvinPriest) August 8, 2020
Phil might not be ready to consider a career change quite yet, but the verdict is already in from social media: Lefty has a future in TV.
Golf.com Editor
James Colgan is a news and features editor at GOLF, writing stories for the website and magazine. He manages the Hot Mic, GOLF’s media vertical, and utilizes his on-camera experience across the brand’s platforms. Prior to joining GOLF, James graduated from Syracuse University, during which time he was a caddie scholarship recipient (and astute looper) on Long Island, where he is from. He can be reached at james.colgan@golf.com.