Could 2024 Be Phil Mickelson’s Last Year Before Retirement?

Few golfers have made as many headlines as Phil Mickelson over the past few years.

Starting with a surprise PGA Championship win in 2021, then a hot-and-cold courtship with what ended up as LIV Golf, and a very public feud with writer Alan Shipnuck, who wrote an unauthorized biography on Lefty.

But aside from a runner-up finish at the Masters this year, Mickelson hasn’t made much noise on the golf course. In fact, in 2.5 seasons, Mickelson has just three top-10 finishes on the LIV circuit, with a best finish of sixth in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, this past March.

In Singapore for a LIV event this weekend, Mickelson talked to Bloomberg and said that an end to his full-time playing days may be closer than many think.

“I’m 53 now and my career, you know, if I’m being truthful it’s toward its end.”

Phil Mickelson has given perhaps his biggest hint yet that he’s considering retiring from a stellar career in golf https://t.co/sJpsdPWcFd pic.twitter.com/lRVbfjwxMi

— Bloomberg (@business) May 2, 2024

Mickelson said:

“I’m 53 now and my career, you know, if I’m being truthful, it’s toward it’s end.”

Mickelson’s initial contract with LIV ends after this season. Shipnuck reported that his next deal could be to remain captain of the HyFlyers team but in a non-playing capacity.:

“I would like to help others find the same enjoyment and fulfillment that the game of golf has provided me.”

.@PhilMickelson with driver off the deck from 300 yards 😮#LIVGolf @HyFlyers_GC pic.twitter.com/3EeHL6xPsb

— LIV Golf (@livgolf_league) May 3, 2024

Before joining LIV, Mickelson had a brief stint on the PGA Champions Tour, where he won four times in six events. One would also expect that he would continue to play in the Majors. He has a lifetime exemption at Masters and PGA Championship as well as being eligible for the U.S. Open through 2025 and the Open Championship through 2030.

Cover Image via PGA of America