Phil Mickelson, the 54-year-old golfing legend, made his much-anticipated comeback to the PGA Tour during the PGA Championship, the second major event of the year. This return comes after his move to the LIV Golf League in June 2022, a shift that had significant implications for his career.
However, his journey at Quail Hollow in Charlotte, North Carolina, echoed the difficulties he faced during the Masters in April. Despite being a six-time major champion, Mickelson’s performance fell short once again, leading to a disappointing missed cut.
Starting the tournament with a troubling 8-over par on the first day put him in a tough situation. Though he slightly improved on the second day with a score of 1-over, one unfortunate incident on the course overshadowed his progress and secured his early exit.
On the par-4 12th hole, Mickelson found himself in a challenging greenside bunker. It took him an astonishing four attempts to chip the ball onto the green, followed by two putts, resulting in a quadruple-bogey eight. This mishap quickly became a viral sensation, capturing the attention of golf fans worldwide.
Consider the moment:
🚨😲🏌️ #WATCH — LIV Golf star Phil Mickelson takes 4 strokes to get out of a bunker in round 2 of the PGA Championship
pic.twitter.com/hA14JZWmiN— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) May 16, 2025
This clip, posted by “NUCLR GOLF,” garnered over 600,000 views in just five hours, sparking a wave of reactions from fans:
“What happened there? Just a mis-hit?” a curious viewer inquired.
Another astounded fan remarked, “I can’t believe what I just watched. I’ve seen his bunker videos countless times,” while one more stated, “That was painful to watch.” A supportive voice chimed in, saying, “Wow! If this can happen to one of the best bunker players ever, I won’t feel too bad about my own game!”
Mickelson’s bunker struggles may not be surprising for amateur golfers, but they certainly raised eyebrows for those who have followed his storied career. Known for his unparalleled skill in escaping sand traps, this performance highlights a disconcerting trend.
After such disappointing outings in the season’s early majors, Mickelson is set to shift back to LIV Golf. He is expected to take some time off before participating in the LIV Virginia tournament, which kicks off on June 6 at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club.
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