After a five-year drought without a title, golf legend Phil Mickelson is hoping to turn the tide at the 2025 LIV Golf Hong Kong tournament. Despite his popularity among golf enthusiasts, the 54-year-old icon’s performance has waned since his 2021 PGA Championship victory. His ranking has slipped, with his current rank at 36th, a drop from 39th in 2023 and 46th in 2024. However, Mickelson has shown sparks of his past prowess during the Hong Kong event, keeping him in the running.
Anticipation is rife, with speculation about his chances increasing as the tournament nears its conclusion. As Mickelson gears up for the final round, he stands just a few strokes behind the leaders, making him a focal point of the tournament. The official LIV Golf Communications Twitter account has confirmed that Mickelson will be playing alongside professional golfers Sebastian Munoz of Colombia and Mito Pereira of Chile. This sets the stage for an exciting final day as Mickelson pits his experience against the younger competitors in his quest for a long-awaited victory.
Throughout this week, Mickelson has displayed glimpses of his former brilliance. His forceful strokes and expert shot shaping around the challenging Hong Kong Golf Club layout have thrilled the spectators. However, despite his extensive experience, Mickelson has struggled to convert his skills into victories over the past five years. His performance under pressure has been inconsistent, and his putting has been erratic. Despite these hurdles, Mickelson’s performance during this tournament has been markedly more confident and stronger.
The Hong Kong Golf Club’s layout, characterized by fast greens and narrow fairways, could either play to Mickelson’s advantage or disadvantage. If he can leverage his well-known short-game skill and avoid costly mistakes, he could end his winning drought. However, it remains to be seen if Mickelson can overcome the new wave of players. His strategy for the final round is eagerly anticipated.
In the last off-season, Mickelson took a step back to analyze his game. Known for his risk-taking and flair, he admitted in a Golf Monthly interview that a change in strategy was necessary. This revelation came after he tied for 14th place in the first round of the LIV Hong Kong tournament with a three-under 67. With Paul Casey leading at seven-under, and a large group at five-under, Mickelson’s new strategy seems to be paying off.
Mickelson’s comments after his round reflect his new approach. He stated, “The way I’m going to have to find another way to win is less mistakes. I can’t afford to make that many bogeys. But I offset it with some birdies, and I hit a lot of good shots and a lot of good putts. I didn’t put myself so far behind after the first round.” This approach will be put to the test in the two remaining events after the Hong Kong tournament: LIV Singapore and LIV Miami.
With this new clarity, Mickelson’s supporters are hopeful that he can finally end his title drought. The question remains whether he can maintain his composure when it matters most, or if another near-miss will prolong his wait for a victory. The golfing world will undoubtedly be watching closely.
