Having struggled for form since joining LIV, both Phil Mickelson and Bubba Watson’s playing days could be running out, according to a report.
Phil Mickelson could be looking at a future on the sidelines when his contract expires with LIV Golf in 2025, according to his own biographer.
One of LIV’s most high-profile signings, Mickelson has struggled to replicate the form that made him one of the best players in the world for over three decades.
Following a lacklustre start to the 2024 season, in which he is yet to score a point, Mickelson could potentially take up a non-playing role when his contract runs out.
Captain of the HyFlyers, Mickelson has been a consistent figure in the Saudi-backed league since its inception in 2022 but has only managed to accumulate two top-10 finishes in the 20 tournaments he has played.
With LIV now attracting some of the best young players in the game, including Jon Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton, and Adrian Meronk, Mickelson’s biographer Alan Shipnuck believes both Mickelson and Bubba Watson could set the clubs down when their contracts run out.
Since joining LIV, Watson has not performed well. He even expressed that if his team doesn’t believe in his abilities, they can replace him with another good golfer.
The golfer, who has won the Masters twice, is under the same four-year captain’s contract as Mickelson and has faced difficulties in finding good performances since joining the breakaway league.
Since joining LIV in 2023, Watson has achieved only one top-10 finish and ended his first season in 36th place in the individual standings.
Before officially retiring, Mickelson has one final goal he hopes to accomplish. Mickelson told Golf Digest that he plans to retire if he wins the US Open, making it his final tournament.
“I will have completed the career grand slam and there will be no need for me to prove anything else.”