Phil Mickelson says there’s a ‘high likelihood’ Oakmont could be his last U.S. Open
It’s the championship that one of golf’s great major winners needs to complete the career Grand Slam. Yet Phil Mickelson, approaching age 55, is cognizant that the sun has almost set on his U.S. Open career.
Lefty is set to tee it up at Oakmont Country Club next week, the fifth and final year of his exemption into the USGA’s marquee event from his age-defying PGA Championship win in 2021. That was Mickelson’s sixth major victory, and made him the oldest major winner at 50, after claiming three Masters titles (2004, 2006 and 2010) as well as the 2005 PGA Championship at Baltusrol. When Mickelson won the 2013 Open Championship at Muirfield, that put him a U.S. Open away joining the exclusive circle of men who have won all four.
Mickelson has famously finished second a record six times at the U.S. Open, first to Payne Stewart at Pinehurst in 1999, and then in 2002, 2004, 2006, 2009 and 2013.
Speaking ahead of LIV Golf Virginia, which begins Friday at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club, Mickelson was asked about the future beyond Oakmont.
Reporter: Phil, I’m just curious about your thoughts on Oakmont potentially being your last U.S. Open and the possible end of your life-long quest to win our national Open.
“I haven’t given it much thought,” Mickelson admitted. “It’s likely, but I really haven’t spent time thinking about it.”
Without dwelling on that remark, Mickelson shifted focus to this week’s tournament at RTJ, saying it’s solid preparation for Oakmont.
“The greens here are running at 14 or 15 on the Stimpmeter, just like we’ll see next week,” he noted. “The contours and slopes are similar too. It’s an ideal way to get ready for the U.S. Open, while still respecting the importance of this event.”
Mickelson still has several paths to qualify for next year’s U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills. When asked whether he might enter 36-hole final qualifying, he responded, “I’m not sure. I haven’t looked that far ahead.”
Another possibility is a special exemption from the USGA, which Mickelson received in 2021 when the U.S. Open was played at Torrey Pines, a course with personal significance for the San Diego native. He accepted that exemption at the time to mark his 30th U.S. Open start, but ultimately earned a spot outright with his PGA Championship win at Kiawah.
Earlier, when asked about his competitive plans for the next five years, Mickelson avoided specifics. Instead, he credited his LIV Golf team, the HyFlyers—which includes Brendan Steele, Cameron Tringale, and Andy Ogletree—for fueling his motivation in his mid-50s.
“As for my schedule, I’m not really sure,” he said. “My energy and enthusiasm to play largely come from being part of this team and spending time with these guys.”
“I don’t have a clear answer. I’ll be 55 in a couple of weeks, so I need to be realistic. I want this team to thrive. If I’m no longer contributing—if I’m holding the team back—it’ll be time to step aside and let someone else take the lead. But I’ve been playing better this year.”
