Latest news with #Mickelson
Sydney Morning Herald
17 hours ago
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘One of the greatest shots I've ever seen': Phil Mickelson can still make a golf ball talk
Phil Mickelson remains a magician with a golf club in his hands. The six-time major championship winner, who will turn 55 next week, treated a disbelieving gallery to perhaps the most improbable shot of his career - which is saying something for one of the most creative players in history - during Sunday's weather-delayed final round of LIV Golf Virginia at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club. Mickelson's birdie from the bunker at No. 17 with his back to the flagstick overshadowed Joaquín Niemann outlasting a charge from a group of major champions to win the event in Gainesville, Virginia. Even as Niemann celebrated onstage, the chatter from patrons around the property remained squarely on Mickelson's wizardry. 'So that was one of my better ones,' said Mickelson, who added a birdie at No. 18 for a 6-under 65 and a 54-hole total of 13-under 200, two shots off the pace. 'Even I was a bit surprised.' The moment unfolded after Mickelson landed his approach at the par-4 17th in a bunker guarding the left front of the green. Facing an uphill lie, Mickelson glanced at the target, addressed the ball for the last time with his right side pointed at the green and proceeded into his backswing gripping his sand wedge. At contact, the ball sailed high and travelled practically behind Mickelson's head, landing within two feet of the pin and trickling into the cup, triggering a wild celebration from his legion of fans who had endured miserable conditions to track Mickelson's round to completion. 'Man, he created some Phil magic there,' said Bryson DeChambeau, playing in the threesome with Mickelson and finishing tied for fourth at 13 under. 'You could just see his wheels turning, and then he hit the shot, and I got the perfect angle of it. … I go, 'Oh my gosh, he's going to make it,' and it went in the hole, and I was like, 'That's got to be one of the greatest shots I've ever seen in my entire life.' ' The dazzling shot was the highlight of LIV Golf's second stop in three years in the shadow of the nation's capital, where the tour's future has been oft debated. In February, Tiger Woods joined PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan and player director Adam Scott in a White House meeting with President Donald Trump and Yasir Al-Rumayyan, governor of the Saudi Public Investment Fund that bankrolls LIV Golf, for negotiations to reunify the fractured sport.
The Age
17 hours ago
- Sport
- The Age
‘One of the greatest shots I've ever seen': Phil Mickelson can still make a golf ball talk
Phil Mickelson remains a magician with a golf club in his hands. The six-time major championship winner, who will turn 55 next week, treated a disbelieving gallery to perhaps the most improbable shot of his career - which is saying something for one of the most creative players in history - during Sunday's weather-delayed final round of LIV Golf Virginia at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club. Mickelson's birdie from the bunker at No. 17 with his back to the flagstick overshadowed Joaquín Niemann outlasting a charge from a group of major champions to win the event in Gainesville, Virginia. Even as Niemann celebrated onstage, the chatter from patrons around the property remained squarely on Mickelson's wizardry. 'So that was one of my better ones,' said Mickelson, who added a birdie at No. 18 for a 6-under 65 and a 54-hole total of 13-under 200, two shots off the pace. 'Even I was a bit surprised.' The moment unfolded after Mickelson landed his approach at the par-4 17th in a bunker guarding the left front of the green. Facing an uphill lie, Mickelson glanced at the target, addressed the ball for the last time with his right side pointed at the green and proceeded into his backswing gripping his sand wedge. At contact, the ball sailed high and travelled practically behind Mickelson's head, landing within two feet of the pin and trickling into the cup, triggering a wild celebration from his legion of fans who had endured miserable conditions to track Mickelson's round to completion. 'Man, he created some Phil magic there,' said Bryson DeChambeau, playing in the threesome with Mickelson and finishing tied for fourth at 13 under. 'You could just see his wheels turning, and then he hit the shot, and I got the perfect angle of it. … I go, 'Oh my gosh, he's going to make it,' and it went in the hole, and I was like, 'That's got to be one of the greatest shots I've ever seen in my entire life.' ' The dazzling shot was the highlight of LIV Golf's second stop in three years in the shadow of the nation's capital, where the tour's future has been oft debated. In February, Tiger Woods joined PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan and player director Adam Scott in a White House meeting with President Donald Trump and Yasir Al-Rumayyan, governor of the Saudi Public Investment Fund that bankrolls LIV Golf, for negotiations to reunify the fractured sport.
Newsweek
a day ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Bryson DeChambeau Calls Lefty's Chip 'One of Greatest Shots I've Ever Seen'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. LIV Golf Virginia wrapped up Sunday evening as Joaquin Niemann once again hosting the trophy. But he was not the talk of the town, Phil Mickelson was. Vintage Mickelson made an appearance with one of his most impressive chip-ins from outside the 17th greenside bunker at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club. Lefty's feet were in the sand. He practically has his back to the hole, with his ball buried in the rough. Yet, he hits the most miraculous shot, uses the slope and watches it fall into the cup. 🚨This angle of the @PhilMickelson hole out today is even more insane 🤯 'So that was one of my better ones… I don't know what to say because I have to aim so far left because I'm hooking it over my shoulder and trying to guess how much it's going to hook is the challenge….… — NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) June 9, 2025 After the round, Bryson DeChambeau, who played in the same group as Mickelson, gave his thoughts on the viral moment. "That's gotta be one of the greatest shots I've ever seen in my entire life," DeChambeau said. The Crusher GC captain took the media on a ride as he explained his perspective on the incredible shot. "He is such a grinder, works so hard, and I felt a little bad for him at that point in time because he was playing pretty well and just couldn't get anything going towards that back half of the round," he explained. KOHLER, WISCONSIN - SEPTEMBER 25: Vice-captain Phil Mickelson of team United States (L) meets with Bryson DeChambeau of team United States during Saturday Afternoon Fourball Matches of the 43rd Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits on... KOHLER, WISCONSIN - SEPTEMBER 25: Vice-captain Phil Mickelson of team United States (L) meets with Bryson DeChambeau of team United States during Saturday Afternoon Fourball Matches of the 43rd Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits on September 25, 2021 in Kohler, Wisconsin. More Photo by"He created some Phil Mickelson magic — vintage Phil. You see him get up on the side slope, and he's just staring at it — you see his wheels turning. He hit the shot, and I got the perfect angle of it, and I go, 'Oh my gosh, he's going to make it.'" Only Mickelson would take that kind of risk and make it. He made birdie and followed it up with another birdie on 18 to close out his round with a 6-under 65. Lefty gave the double fist pump, and the crowd lost its mind. DeChambeau knows about incredible moments, so his giving this one such high praise should explain how impressive it was. Mickelson finished T4 at LIV Golf Virginia, which is his second-best of the season. His best came at LIV Hong Kong with a solo third. He will look to bring that momentum to Oakmont Country Club for the 125th U.S. Open. Lefty recently admitted this may be his final U.S. Open, as his exemptions for his PGA Championship win at age 50 runs dry after 2025. More Golf: US Open 2025: Odds, Predictions, Best Bets on the Board
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Monday Leaderboard: Phil Mickelson unleashes one more thrill on eve of U.S. Open
Welcome to the Monday Leaderboard, where we run down the weekend's top stories in the wonderful world of golf. Grab an Arnold Palmer, pull up a chair and get ready for Phil to take one more ride … Phil Mickelson throws it back, throws it close If it's June, it's time for Can-Phil-finally-win-the-big-one stories. Granted, Phil's chances of finally winning the U.S. Open and completing the career grand slam are only marginally better than yours at this point. But every so often, Mickelson — who's played in near-anonymity on the LIV Golf tour for the last four seasons — reminds us of what used to be, as he did on Sunday at the LIV Golf Virginia event. Mickelson has indicated that this week could be his final U.S. Open. His star has dimmed substantially in the last few years, but he remains one of the most compelling, significant and polarizing figures in golf history. And shots like that — the willingness to attempt them, the ability to pull them off — are a large reason why. The game's a little less lively now that he's not around as much. Fox on a run in Canada Talk about getting in just under the wire. Ryan Fox took four playoff holes to win the RBC Canadian Open Sunday and earn the final spot in this week's U.S. Open. Fox outlasted Sam Burns, who had posted a final-round 62 to hold the clubhouse lead at -18. Fox needed to hole a 17-foot birdie on the 18th to force the playoff. The extra holes were not exactly a heavyweight fight; both players let opportunities slip away. But on the fourth extra hole, Fox uncorked a brilliant approach that sealed the win: Another LIV tourney, another Joaco victory Earlier this year, Mickelson deemed Joaquin Niemann the best player in the world. That was characteristic Mickelson overhype, but it's pretty tough to argue that Niemann isn't the best player in LIV right now, Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau included. Niemann has won four times in eight tournaments this season, his latest coming Sunday in Virginia, a one-stroke victory over Graeme McDowell and Anirban Lahiri. Niemann's LIV success hasn't exactly translated to success in majors — Niemann has exactly one major top-10 in his career, a T8 last month at the PGA Championship. He'll get another shot to prove Mickelson correct this week at Oakmont. Maybe if he plays the majors in shorts and has some pulsing music around … Joaquin Niemann, a winner again. () (Alex Goodlett via Getty Images) Kupcho rebounds from confusion, frustration to win ShopRite 'I don't know what I'm doing. I don't know how to swing a golf club. I have no idea how to do this anymore.' That was Jennifer Kupcho, 2022 Chevron Championship winner, earlier this year. After some hard conversations with her inner circle, Kupcho found something that worked — she rode a final-round 66 to a one-stroke victory in the ShopRite LPGA Classic in New Jersey. It's Kupcho's first victory since 2022, and it comes just a week after she missed the cut at the U.S. Women's Open at Erin Hills. Not a bad turnaround, both for a week and for a career. Hide your scorecards, the U.S. Open has arrived And here we are — the toughest week of the year, if you're a pro. Since you're probably not, it's one of the best weeks of the year. The U.S. Open tees off later this week at Oakmont, one of America's truly great courses, and early reports are calling for carnage. Like, for example, Ben Griffin's on-site video of the rough: This is going to be a lot of fun. Well, not for the players, but definitely for the rest of us. We'll be reporting live from Oakmont all week, bringing you every par, bogey and (occasional) birdie from Western Pennsylvania. You ready? This week: PGA Tour/LIV Golf/PGA Tour Champions: U.S. Open (Oakmont), LPGA: Meijer LPGA Classic (Michigan).
Newsweek
a day ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
U.S. Open: 3 Biggest Storylines to Watch For at Oakmont
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The last few months saw some of the biggest headlines in golf history. In April, Rory McIlroy finally donned the green jacket. May belonged to Scottie Scheffler, securing the PGA Championship. And now, we are just days away from the golf's third major - the U.S. Open from Oakmont Country Club. LIV Golf's Phil Mickelson, Bryson DeChambeau and PGA Tour's Rory McIlroy Heading Towards US Open. (Image Collage | Credits: Getty Images) LIV Golf's Phil Mickelson, Bryson DeChambeau and PGA Tour's Rory McIlroy Heading Towards US Open. (Image Collage | Credits: Getty Images) Getty Images Major weeks bring drama, thrill, and that undeniable feeling of butterflies in the stomach. But this one is shaping up to be wilder than most, with some jaw-dropping storylines from LIV Golf and the PGA Tour. Here are the three biggest storylines we are keeping our eyes on. 3. Phil Mickelson's Final Chance at Grand Slam? In 2022, Mickelson made a bold claim saying, "If I win the U.S. Open, I will retire." The reasoning was simple—a victory would complete his career Grand Slam, solidifying his place among golf's elite list that includes only six names. But Lefty's hopes seemed to have derailed in recent years. Before he impressed everyone with his LIV Golf Virginia performance, Mickelson hinted that this U.S. Open might be his last. "There's a high likelihood that it will be [his last appearance], but I haven't really thought about it too much." His five-year exemption from the 2021 PGA Championship win expires after Oakmont, and the timing of his admission? Not coincidental. BROOKLINE, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 17: Phil Mickelson of the United States acknowledges the crowd from the ninth green during the second round of the 122nd U.S. Open Championship at The Country Club on June 17,... BROOKLINE, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 17: Phil Mickelson of the United States acknowledges the crowd from the ninth green during the second round of the 122nd U.S. Open Championship at The Country Club on June 17, 2022 in Brookline, Massachusetts. (Photo by) More Getty Images At 50, he became the oldest major champion in history. But now, his body tells a different story. His candid assessment of his physical limitations suggests he's coming to terms with an inevitable transition. Though Mickelson stunned everyone with his vintage shot on Sunday, Lefty has often talked about struggling to beat young players like Bryson DeChambeau, Scottie Scheffler and others. The irony is glaring, his best golf now demands more from him than his worst rounds ever did. So, as Mickelson approaches what might be his final U.S. Open, the weight of the moment is bigger than golf. Every aging athlete faces the reality that the body eventually stops keeping up with ambition. And Mickelson? His ability to accept it with grace might be his most admirable shot yet. As they say, Father Time is undefeated. 2. Rory McIlroy's Driver 'Concerns' That perfect driver in your bag—the one that feels like an extension of your hands. You've played hundreds of rounds with it. The face shows battle scars. The sweet spot feels sweeter over time. For most golfers, this evolution is a gift. For Rory McIlroy, it became a violation at the PGA Championship—forcing him to switch his driver just days before the tournament. But here's the problem. His switch failed him spectacularly. At the RBC Canadian Open, McIlroy's driver issues hit crisis mode. After missing his first cut since The Open in 2024, he admitted: "Yeah, of course it concerns me. You don't want to shoot high scores like the one I did today." CALEDON, ONTARIO - JUNE 05: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland walks off the 10th green during the first round of the RBC Canadian Open 2025 at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley on June 05, 2025... CALEDON, ONTARIO - JUNE 05: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland walks off the 10th green during the first round of the RBC Canadian Open 2025 at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley on June 05, 2025 in Caledon, Ontario. (Photo by) More Getty Images His 8-over 78 sealed the worst PGA Tour 36-hole finish of his career, featuring one quadruple bogey, one double, eight bogeys, and just five birdies. The TaylorMade Qi35 driver, meant to solve his off-the-tee struggles, backfired completely. "I went back to a 44-inch driver to get more control, but if I'm going to miss fairways, I'd rather have the ball speed and miss the fairway than not," McIlroy explained. His stats painted an ugly picture—losing 2.233 strokes off the tee, hitting just 13 of 28 fairways, and carding a quadruple-bogey 8 on Friday's fifth hole. Most telling? This was his second failed driver switch this year. "This is the second time I've tried the new version, and it hasn't worked out for me." With four days before Oakmont, McIlroy admitted: "I'd say I'll be testing quite a few drivers over the weekend." And he needs to be fast because with Oakmont's brutal setup, any inconsistency off the tee could spell disaster. 1. Bryson DeChambeau Defends His U.S. Open Crown While Scottie Scheffler was painting masterpieces with wind-bending iron shots, Bryson DeChambeau kept his stellar play in majors. His T2 finish at the PGA Championship continued his excellent stretch of majors. It started back in 2016, when he earned low amateur honors at the Masters, becoming a Rolex ambassador in the same week. This year, he came close at Augusta, finishing solo second before tumbling on Sunday with a 74, settling for T7. At Quail Hollow, he was co-runner-up at the PGA Championship. CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 15: Bryson DeChambeau of the United States plays a shot from the ninth tee during the first round of the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Country Club on May 15,... CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 15: Bryson DeChambeau of the United States plays a shot from the ninth tee during the first round of the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Country Club on May 15, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. More Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images Now, he heads to Oakmont—a big, brawny ballpark that fits his game perfectly. He's already won two U.S. Open titles, first at Winged Foot in 2020, then again at Pinehurst No. 2 in 2024. And he's coming with new weapons—switching his irons to a custom-made LA Golf set, co-designed with Jeff Meyer. Speaking on the Golf Digest Podcast, DeChambeau teased: "We were hands-on, went through the whole process, testing, researching. You're going to see something special that no other OEM is doing." Some might call his club overhaul risky, but if DeChambeau has proven anything, it's that he thrives in high-stakes moments. Last year, he was hot on the heels of Scheffler, finishing second at the PGA Championship. At Augusta, he was one step away from his first Green Jacket—ultimately finishing fifth at the Masters. With his aggressive style, bold equipment changes, and confidence, DeChambeau enters Oakmont with something bigger than momentum—he's hunting a three-time U.S. Open legacy. Three Days Until the Battle Begins Mickelson's potential farewell, McIlroy's fight to fix his driver, and DeChambeau's title defense, each storyline promises to shape the 125th U.S. Open in historic fashion. Oakmont will test resilience, strategy, and the ability to survive the sport's most unforgiving conditions starting from June 12th. More Golf: Scottie Scheffler Tweaks Tour Schedule with Major Ramifications
