x
Skip to main content
Golf Logo
InsideGolf Join Now  / Log In
Phil Mickelson made golf more interesting. It’s OK to say you’re going to miss that
SHARE
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share by Email
Golf Logo
  • News
    • Latest
      • News
      • Features
      • Shows
      • PGA Tour Schedule
    • Series
      • Tour Confidential
      • Monday Finish
      • Hot Mic
      • Rogers Report
    • Shows
      • The Scoop
      • Subpar
      • Seen & Heard
  • Instruction
    • Game Improvement
      • Driving
      • Approach Shots
      • Bunker Shots
      • Short Game
      • Putting
      • Rules
      • Fitness
    • Series
      • Top 100 Teachers
      • Rules Guy
      • The Etiquetteist
      • Emergency 9
    • Shows
      • Warming Up
      • Play Smart
      • Short Game Chef
      • Pros Teaching Joes
  • Gear
    • Clubs
      • Drivers
      • Irons
      • Hybrids
      • Fairway Woods
      • Wedges
      • Putters
    • Other Gear
      • Balls
      • Shoes
      • Apparel
      • Golf Accessories
    • Series
      • ClubTest
      • Winner’s Bag
    • Shows
      • Fully Equipped
  • Travel & Lifestyle
    • Travel
      • Course Finder
      • Courses
      • Resorts
    • Lifestyle
      • Accessories
      • Celebrities
      • Food
      • Style
      • Betting Advice
    • Shows
      • Super Secrets
      • Destination Golf
  • Shop
    • Shop
      • Clubs
      • Shafts
      • Training Aids
      • Balls
      • Bags
      • Technology
      • Apparel
      • Accessories
      • Our Picks
      • Shop All
    • Collections
      • The GOLF Collection
      • The Birdie Juice Collection
      • The Fully Equipped Collection
      • Shop All
  • Newsletters
    • Sign Up for GOLF’s Newsletters
      • Hot Mic
      • Monday Finish
      • Play Smart
      • Our Picks
      • Top Stories
      • Sign Up for All
  • News
    • Latest News
    • Features
    • Shows
    • PGA Tour Schedule
  • Instruction
    • All Instruction
    • Driving
    • Approach Shots
    • Bunker Shots
    • Short Game
    • Putting
    • Rules
    • Fitness
  • Gear
    • All Gear
    • Drivers
    • Irons
    • Hybrids
    • Fairway Woods
    • Wedges
    • Putters
    • Balls
    • Shoes
    • Apparel
    • Golf Accessories
  • Travel & Lifestyle
    • All Travel
    • All Lifestyle
    • Course Finder
    • Courses
    • Resorts
    • Accessories
    • Celebrities
    • Food
    • Style
    • Betting Advice
  • Series
    • Tour Confidential
    • Monday Finish
    • Hot Mic
    • Rogers Report
    • Rules Guy
    • The Etiquetteist
    • Emergency 9
    • ClubTest
    • Winner’s Bag
  • Shows
    • The Scoop
    • Subpar
    • Seen & Heard
    • Warming Up
    • Play Smart
    • Short Game Chef
    • Pros Teaching Joes
    • Fully Equipped
    • Super Secrets
    • Destination Golf
  • Shop
    • Clubs
    • Shafts
    • Training Aids
    • Balls
    • Bags
    • Technology
    • Apparel
    • Accessories
    • The GOLF Collection
    • The Birdie Juice Collection
    • The Fully Equipped Collection
  • Newsletters
    • Hot Mic
    • Monday Finish
    • Play Smart
    • Top Stories
    • Our Picks
    • Sign Up for All
InsideGolf Join Now  / Log In
InsideGolf

Great for yourself...or your Dad

InsideGOLF
News

Phil Mickelson made golf more interesting. It’s OK to say you’re going to miss that

By: Alan Bastable
  • Follow on Twitter
June 13, 2022
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share by Email
phil mickelson at us open presser

Phil Mickelson during his press conference at the U.S. Open Monday.

getty images

For all Phil Mickelson’s derring-do on the golf course — corner-cutting bombs, pine-splitting approaches, flop shots that descended with nose bleeds — he has delivered some of his most captivating performances in front of a microphone or, more recently, on his phone’s keypad.

Where to begin? With his 2004 dismantling of losing U.S. Ryder Cup captain Hal Sutton (“we failed monumentally”)? With his 2013 dig at the California tax code (“it doesn’t work for me”)? With his 2014 takedown of losing U.S. Ryder Cup captain Tom Watson (“we have strayed from a winning formula”)? With his 2021 shot at the USGA for regulating driver shaft length (“stupid is as stupid does”)?

Oh, and let us not forget this chestnut, in the run-up to the 2019 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach: “I’ve played, what, 29 U.S. Opens?” Mickelson said, reflecting on the setups at those events. “One hundred percent of time they have messed it up if it doesn’t rain.” 

You didn’t have to like Mickelson’s opinions — many never did — but in the buttoned-up world of professional golf you couldn’t help but respect his propensity for spilling them. At the least, it made the game more fun and more interesting. More often than not, Mickelson gave fans something to buzz about and reporters something to write about. He couldn’t help himself. Opining, musing, pontificating, jousting, antagonizing — all were in his DNA.

News
Phil Mickelson
Phil Mickelson is back taking questions, but he looks and sounds much different
By: Sean Zak

We’re employing the past tense here, because if you’ve listened to Mickelson in his last two press conferences — first at LIV Golf’s debut event, near London, last week, and second at his Monday session with reporters at the U.S. Open this week — you’ve surely detected a marked change in the man, and not just because he’s bearded, hatless and sponsor-less. Gone is the pep, the bluster, the mischievous glint in his eyes. He’s somber, subdued and, above all, cautious.

Since returning from his exile, following the publication of his controversial remarks about the Saudi-funded LIV Golf league, Mickelson has been reluctant to talk about, well, much of anything. Words come out of his mouth, but they’re devoid of any real substance. That’s by design, of course. Running his mouth is what landed Mickelson in this strange purgatory in the first place.

“I have had strong opinions and ideas, let’s say, regarding most of the governing bodies, and I’ve done a poor job of conveying that,” Mickelson said Monday, echoing similar remarks he made last week. “I’ve made it public, and that’s been a mistake. That’s one of the mistakes I’ve been making.” Moving forward, he added, he’s aiming to “be a lot more thoughtful with my words and actions and try to keep a lot of those things behind closed doors.”

Mickelson began his press conference at The Country Club with an opening statement, as if he were a defendant on trial, which in a way he was. He said that the last four months have been “necessary time” to reflect on his missteps. He thanked the Tour for “the many opportunities it has provided me.” He said how excited he was to be back at the historic Country Club. Looking out a tent with reporters jammed shoulder to shoulder, Mickelson concluded with, “Any questions?”

LOL, yeah, Phil, just a few.

Mickelson answered 30 questions Monday, exactly one of which was about the U.S. Open. Many of the other 29 queries made Mickelson visibly uncomfortable and/or agitated. How would he explain his Saudi business partnership to the families of 9/11 victims? What kind of response is he expecting from fans and peers who feel he has betrayed them? Does he feel like he needs to apologize for joining LIV? No one seemed interested in the thickness of the rough.

Mickelson played prevent defense, replying with some combination of half- and non-answers. One question he felt was better suited for LIV executives, another for the USGA. On several occasions, he admonished reporters for asking two-part questions. ”I don’t like it when you keep asking multiple questions,” he said. When asked if perhaps he’s been unfairly criticized, Mickelson said, “That’s not necessarily for me to say.”

News
phil mickelson
Phil Mickelson responds to harsh rebuke from 9/11 coalition
By: Sean Zak

He wasn’t on LIV turf anymore, but the media training he had received in London last week was clearly still top of mind.

Mickelson used the word respect 15 times, as in: “I certainly respect Rory. I respect his ideas. I respect all the players that choose to stay on the PGA Tour.” He also leaned on appreciative and appreciation, employing them twice each. Useful words all when you’re trying to mend bridges.  

Give Mickelson credit for admitting LIV’s “incredible financial commitment” was one of the carrots that drew him to the new league; not all LIV players have spoken that truth so plainly. He also did assert one new opinion, when asked why he wants to continue to have the right to play on the PGA Tour.

“I’ve worked hard to earn a lifetime membership,” Mickelson said. “I’ve worked hard to give back to the PGA Tour and the game of golf throughout my 30 plus years of professional golf, and I’ve earned that lifetime membership, so I believe that it should be my choice.”

We haven’t seen the last of Mickelson in non-LIV press tents; he will continue to play in the majors — at least as long as he’s permitted to — and, who knows, maybe contend in a couple more. It’s not inconceivable that Mickelson could conjure his green jacket-winning magic one final time, hitting bombs above the pines and one-hop-and-stopping wedges into Augusta’s slippery greens.

Of course seeing the Mickelson of old and hearing from him are two very different things.

Latest In News

3 hours ago

What goes on inside a U.S. Open media center? | Rogers Report

3 hours ago

Oakmont's church pew bunker: The treacherous hazard explained

3 hours ago

2025 U.S. Open Friday tee times: Round 2 groupings

5 hours ago

Dentist opens U.S. Open with shocking tee shot, quickly redeems himself

Alan Bastable

Golf.com Editor

As GOLF.com’s executive editor, Bastable is responsible for the editorial direction and voice of one of the game’s most respected and highly trafficked news and service sites. He wears many hats — editing, writing, ideating, developing, daydreaming of one day breaking 80 — and feels privileged to work with such an insanely talented and hardworking group of writers, editors and producers. Before grabbing the reins at GOLF.com, he was the features editor at GOLF Magazine. A graduate of the University of Richmond and the Columbia School of Journalism, he lives in New Jersey with his wife and foursome of kids.

  • Author Twitter Account

Related Articles

News
From articles to interviews to player Instagram content, media members are booked and busy during major weeks.

What goes on inside a U.S. Open media center? | Rogers Report

By: Claire Rogers
News
a view of oakmont's church pew bunker

Oakmont's church pew bunker: The treacherous hazard explained

By: Josh Berhow
News
LIV pro Bryson DeChambeau plays shot during 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont.

2025 U.S. Open Friday tee times: Round 2 groupings

By: Kevin Cunningham
News
matt vogt's opening tee shot at us open

Dentist opens U.S. Open with shocking tee shot, quickly redeems himself

By: Alan Bastable
News
Phil Mickelson plays a shot during a practice round at the 2025 U.S Open

Will 2025 U.S. Open be farewell for Phil Mickelson? USGA weighs in on his future

By: Josh Schrock
Travel
Golf: Aerial view of church pews on No 3 hole at Oakmont CC. Still shot photographed from drone. Oakmont, PA 9/14/2015 CREDIT: Fred Vuich

7 fun facts about Oakmont only members tend to know

By: Josh Sens
News
Rory McIlroy bows his head at Oakmont prior to the 2025 U.S. Open.

'Very worrying': TV analyst laments Rory McIlroy's 'low energy' at U.S. Open

By: Kevin Cunningham
News
A 2025 U.S. Open flag and grandstand pictured during a practice round at Oakmont.

What channel is the U.S. Open on? How to watch the 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont

By: Kevin Cunningham
News
PGA Tour pro Rory McIlroy plays a tee shot using a driver during the 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont.

2025 U.S. Open Thursday TV coverage: How to watch Round 1

By: Kevin Cunningham
Sign up for GOLF's Newsletters
Get the latest news, the hottest instruction tips, new product releases, golf media insider reports and more delivered directly to your inbox. Choose your favorites now.
Sign Up
Categories
  • News
  • Instruction
  • Gear
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
Services
  • Masthead
  • GOLF Media Kit
  • GOLF Magazine Customer Service
  • TERMS OF SERVICE
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • Opt-out of Ads/Sharing
  • Your Privacy Choices
Social
  • facebook
  • x
  • instagram
  • youtube
Membership
InsideGOLF Logo
More than $140 Value for JUST $39.99

INCLUDES 12 SRIXON Z-STAR XV GOLF BALLS, 1 YR OF GOLF MAGAZINE, $20 FAIRWAY JOCKEY CREDIT - AND MUCH MORE!

LEARN MORE

© 2025 EB Golf Media LLC. An 8AM Golf Affiliated Brand. All Rights Reserved. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy a linked product, GOLF.COM may earn a fee. Pricing may vary.

Go to mobile version