Phil Mickelson Contemplates New Big Stick Ahead of The Open

Phil Mickelson is ten years removed from his only The Open Championship, and in the trek for his seventh Major and second Champion Golfer of the Year award, he is putting a new big stick in the bag…potentially.

After years with Callaway and an entire 2023 season with the Paradym Triple Diamond, Mickelson was spotted with a Ping G430 earlier this week. An hour ahead of his tee time at The Open at Royal Liverpool, it is likely that is what will land in his bag.

Phil Mickelson swinging a Ping driver at the Open today 👀 pic.twitter.com/rR8o5NnFDd

— Dylan Dethier (@dylan_dethier) July 19, 2023

Ping reps told GolfWRX that Mickelson requested several different driver builds for this week, but landed on the G430 LST 9-degree head and a Fujikura Ventus Blue 6X shaft.

It is not unpopular for clubs to be swapped out for other options, especially for European courses, as they usually have a different look and vastly different conditions compared to American courses. 

However, Mickelson did throw a Ping G430 Max 15-degree fairway wood in the bag prior to LIV’s London event, which was won by reigning Open Champion Cameron Smith.

Last week, we reported on Rory McIlroy bringing out a 2-iron from his garage for the Scottish Open, and the club eventually led him to victory and was key in his magnificent shot on the 72nd hole.

Nevertheless, with the last Major of the year just starting earlier this morning, Mickelson is looking to recapture the momentum he had at The Masters, where a spectacular Sunday led him to a T2 finish. He then finished T58 at the PGA Championship and missed the cut at the U.S. Open.

Cover Image via Gulf Times