Phil Mickelson stunned the golf world this week with a revelation that could mark the end of a legendary era. Speaking ahead of the LIV Golf League tournament in Virginia, the six-time major champion admitted there’s a “high likelihood” the 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont will be his final appearance at the historic event.
“I haven’t thought about it too much,” Mickelson said candidly to reporters. “There’s a high likelihood that it will be, but I haven’t really thought about it too much.”
It’s not about desire – Mickelson would love to keep chasing the elusive U.S. Open trophy that has slipped through his fingers six times, each time as a runner-up. But at 54 years old and currently ranked 1,162nd in the world, the path back to future U.S. Opens is fading fast.
His exemption from winning the 2021PGA Championship keeps him eligible through 2025, but after that, he’ll have to rely on qualifying events or pull off a miracle win to stay in the mix.
Mickelson’s path to the US Open is slim
With the top 60 in the Official World Golf Ranking earning automatic invites – and no pathway back into those rankings from LIV Golf – Mickelson’s road is all but blocked.
Even LIV’s back door is closing: only the No. 1 player in season standings gets a U.S. Open invite, and with stars like Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm in the mix, Mickelson faces steep odds. The most realistic scenario? Competing in open qualifiers – a move many believe the Hall of Famer might consider beneath him.
Still chasing the one major that would complete his career Grand Slam, Mickelson’s admission adds urgency – and heartbreak – to this year’s Oakmont showdown. For golf fans, 2025 may be the last time Lefty tees it up in the tournament that’s haunted him for over three decades.
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