Phil Mickelson’s retirement plan as caddie brother walks away days before Masters

LIV Golf star Phil Mickelson has struggled for form since winning the PGA Championship – the sixth major triumph of his illustrious career – at Kiawah Island in 2021

Phil Mickelson is not expected to retire from golf in the near future, despite increasing speculation about his future and his caddy deciding to leave.

Phil Mickelson, who is 53 years old, has not been able to secure a win in a tournament since he transitioned from the PGA Tour to LIV Golf two years ago.

He is currently positioned at 39th place in LIV’s individual rankings and is finding it challenging to leave a significant mark on the circuit supported by Saudi Arabia.

Mickelson suffered a setback before the Masters when his long-time caddie and brother Tim retired. Despite his recent poor performance and aging, Mickelson is expected to prolong his professional golf career as he pursues his goal of winning the US Open.

Mickelson is considered one of the top golfers of his era, having achieved victory in the Masters three times, the PGA Championship twice, and The Open Championship in 2013. Mickelson is surpassed in men’s majors victories by only 11 golfers in the history of the sport.

He is the oldest person to win a major tournament, winning the PGA Championship at Kiawah Island in 2021 at the age of 50 years, 11 months, and seven days.

However, he has not yet won the US Open, the only major tournament he has not won.

Mickelson has finished second or tied-second at America’s national championship six times during his glittering career and would love to complete a career slam before calling it a day. Although he’s has plummeted down the rankings due to LIV events not boasting Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points, he’s allowed to continue competing in majors thanks to being a six-time winner.

He’ll always be invited back to the Masters, PGA and Open as a former champion, while his victory at Kiawah Island three years ago granted him a five-year exemption to compete in all majors. That means he’s eligible to play at this year’s US Open at Pinehurst and next year’s event at Oakmont. As such, it’s unlikely Mickelson will call time on his career before 2025.

Mickelson has previously said: “Winning the US Open has been a lifelong and elusive dream, and I’ve come close so many times. You can’t win if you don’t play. I’m honoured and appreciative of the USGA for the opportunity and look forward to playing in my hometown on a golf course I grew up on.”

While Mickelson is preparing for the upcoming event at Pinehurst, his main focus is on performing well at the LIV tournament in Miami, which begins on April 5. The tournament is scheduled a week before the Masters, which is the first major of the year that Mickelson hopes to win his fourth green jacket at.

Unfortunately, Mickelson will be competing without his brother Tim, who has retired.

Mickelson is likely to hire Jon Yarbrough as his new caddie, who has experience working with various golfers in the PGA Tour. Mickelson expressed his gratitude for sharing his career milestones with his brother Tim, who recently retired, in an announcement made on X.

“I consider myself fortunate to have had him as my caddie for the past eight years, as well as a lifelong friend. Many things have evolved since he was single and we began working together.

He has found his life partner, Maranda, they now have their second son, and I hope their family will expand even further.”

Although Tim is stepping away from being a caddy, I will always treasure the numerous wonderful moments we have experienced on the golf course, and I am excited for the many more memorable moments we will have off the course as well.