The 2025 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club, starting May 15, 2025, has golf fans buzzing, and Phil Mickelson, the 54-year-old six-time major champion, is back in the spotlight. Competing in his 32nd PGA Championship, Phil Mickelson carries a lifetime exemption as a two-time winner (2005, 2021), but his recent form and LIV Golf affiliation have sparked debate about his chances.
After a disappointing Masters miss in April, Phil Mickelson aims to recapture the magic that made him the oldest major champion at 50 during his 2021 PGA triumph. Let’s dive into Phil Mickelson’s journey, his early performance at Quail Hollow, and whether he can contend against Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, and Bryson DeChambeau.
Background Context: Mickelson’s Legacy and LIV Golf Shift
Phil Mickelson is a golfing legend, with 45 PGA Tour wins, including three Masters titles (2004, 2006, 2010) and two PGA Championships. His 2021 PGA win at Kiawah Island, where he outlasted Brooks Koepka and Louis Oosthuizen, cemented his place in history as the oldest major champion.
However, since joining LIV Golf in 2022, Phil Mickelson’s form has waned. His world ranking plummeted to 1009 after missing the 2025 Masters cut, a stark contrast to his T-2 finish at Augusta in 2023. Despite top-10 LIV Golf finishes in Miami (sixth) and Hong Kong (third) in 2025, his major performances have been inconsistent, with four missed cuts in his last six majors.
Off the course, **Phil Mickelson. Repositories to new media to grow golf’s reach. Yet, as The Guardian noted, Phil Mickelson’s once-adoring Augusta crowds have cooled, reflecting his LIV Golf ties and reduced competitive edge.
Early PGA Championship Performance
At Quail Hollow, Phil Mickelson started cautiously, reaching one-over-par through 12 holes in Round 1, tied for 30th, per X posts from @PGABogeys. Paired with Jason Day and Tommy Fleetwood, he bogeyed the 12th, struggling with accuracy on a course demanding precision.
Quail Hollow’s long par-4s and firm greens suit Mickelson’s power, but his short game—once a hallmark—must deliver to climb the leaderboard. The Athletic reports a stacked field, with 16 LIV Golf players, including DeChambeau and Koepka, alongside PGA Tour stars like McIlroy, who birdied the 10th to reach one under.
Mickelson’s odds (80-1, per CBS Sports) reflect his underdog status, but his history of clutch major moments keeps hope alive.
Analysis: Mickelson’s Chances at Quail Hollow
Phil Mickelson’s path to a third PGA Championship is steep. His driving distance remains a strength, but his 2025 strokes gained putting (outside LIV’s top 20) and iron play need improvement. Quail Hollow, where McIlroy has won four times, rewards course knowledge, which Mickelson has from past Wells Fargo Championship starts.
However, his age and recent major struggles—missing the 2025 Masters cut by three shots—suggest a top-20 finish may be more realistic than a title run. Golf.com notes his lifetime exemption ensures his spot, but fans wonder if his competitive fire can overcome physical and strategic challenges.
Mickelson’s off-course impact adds intrigue. His support for LIV Golf and digital ventures, like mentoring Horvat, shows a forward-thinking approach, but his PGA Tour criticisms have alienated some fans, as seen in X posts like @MirrorUSSports questioning his LIV role. Still, his 2021 PGA win proves he can defy expectations, and a strong showing could silence doubters.
Looking Ahead: Mickelson’s Major Quest
A deep run at Quail Hollow could boost Phil Mickelson’s confidence for the U.S. Open and Open Championship, where he’s yet to win. Fans can follow his progress on ESPN or the PGA Tour’s live leaderboard. Whether he contends or not, Mickelson’s presence—marked by bold shots and charisma—remains a draw, as Golf Digest highlighted his “mind-blowing” Masters practice round shot. For now, Phil Mickelson fights to reclaim his major magic, one swing at a time. Read more Sports News.
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