Jack Nicklaus Gives Phil Mickelson a Stinging 5-Word Reality Check at Augusta National
A T3 finish was Phil Mickelson’s best score in his LIV career, which came at the LIV Golf Hong Kong event in February. And while that wasn’t half bad considering the recent injury he had before the LIV season opener, it was still a bit of a concern that the golfer was losing touch with the game. His inconsistent play has raised questions about his current level of competition, and PGA Tour pro Jack Nicklaus just doesn’t know what Mickelson is doing.
Speaking at the Masters press conference, Nicklaus downplayed Mickelson’s recent performances on the LIV Tour, saying, “Well, you know, I don’t know what level Phil is competing at. I guess he’s still playing. He’s playing the LIV Tour, is he?.” Mickelson’s T19 finish at the LIV Golf Singapore event and 6th place finish at the LIV Golf Miami event, where he shot a 69-73-73, have not seemed to make a strong impression on Nicklaus. “I don’t know if he’s playing or not. I don’t know, you never see that anymore.” These results have left Nicklaus wondering about Mickelson’s current standing in the golf world, and he is not the only one to do that.
Mixed Predictions for Golf Legends Mickelson and Woods
Renowned coach Butch Harmon recently weighed in on Phil Mickelson’s chances at Augusta, calling a potential win “a long shot.” While he acknowledged that Mickelson’s deep knowledge of the course could work in his favor, Harmon pointed out that age might be a limiting factor. Still, he didn’t completely rule out the possibility of a surprising victory.
On the other hand, Jack Nicklaus is feeling far more optimistic about Tiger Woods. Despite Woods’s ongoing injury issues, Nicklaus believes he’s poised for a strong return to the game. In fact, he expects Woods to thrive on the Senior Tour when he becomes eligible next year at age 50. Nicklaus credits Tiger’s fierce competitive nature and resilience as key reasons for his confidence.
While Nicklaus respects Mickelson’s talent, he seems less certain about his current competitiveness compared to Woods, whose drive and history of overcoming adversity continue to inspire belief in his future success.
Whatever any of the golf legends say about him, the lefty is quite confident in himself, so much so that the lefty even spilled some beans on his last Masters win.
Phil Mickelson’s Winning technique for a Major.
At 54 and with three Green Jackets to his name, Phil Mickelson took a moment during the LIV event in Miami to reflect on the lessons he’s learned at Augusta National. For him, mastering the Masters meant rethinking how he approached one particular hole: the par-5 15th, Firethorn. Early in his career, Mickelson admitted he would push too hard on that hole, always trying to score a birdie. “I would press. I would force the issue,” he said. That aggressive mindset often backfired—he even made a double bogey there during the 1999 Masters.
His mindset shifted when he realized that sometimes playing it safe is the smarter move. Accepting a par on the 15th, instead of forcing a birdie, became part of his winning strategy. “When I finally did win it, I felt like, all right, a 5 is okay there,” Mickelson shared. “I could lose the tournament on 15; I don’t need to make 4 every time.” That patience helped pave the way for his first Masters win in 2004.
Even now, Mickelson still has the firepower to take on the 15th, but he’s become more strategic. He’s been working a 5-wood into his bag, giving him just the right mix of distance and control. “I’ve got one I really like and that I anticipate hitting into 13 and 15,” he said, based on how those holes have played for him recently.
With another Masters on the horizon, Mickelson’s not just relying on experience—he’s evolving. And with his game plan in place, he’s still very much a contender.
