Phil Mickelson Announces Retirement After 2025 U.S. Open, Leaving Fans Emotional
In a stunning revelation that has sent shockwaves through the golfing world, Phil Mickelson, one of golf’s most beloved figures, has announced that the 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club will likely be his final competitive appearance in the major championship. The six-time major winner, known affectionately as “Lefty,” cited a combination of physical challenges, a desire to focus on his LIV Golf team, and a realistic assessment of his competitive future as the reasons behind his impending retirement, leaving fans heartbroken yet reflective of his storied career.
Mickelson, who turns 55 in June 2025, spoke candidly during a press conference ahead of a LIV Golf event in Virginia, admitting that his body is struggling to keep up with the demands of professional golf. “My body tends to stiffen up during extended waits on the tee, causing genuine physical discomfort,” Mickelson revealed, highlighting the toll that aging has taken on his performance. Despite undergoing specialized physical therapy to stay competitive, the golf icon acknowledged that his recent struggles, including missed cuts at the last three U.S. Opens, have forced him to confront the reality of his physical limitations.
The 2025 U.S. Open holds special significance for Mickelson, as it represents his last chance to complete the career Grand Slam, the one achievement that has eluded him throughout his illustrious career. With three Masters titles, two PGA Championships, and an Open Championship to his name, Mickelson has finished runner-up at the U.S. Open a record six times, most recently in 2013. “If I win the U.S. Open, I will retire,” Mickelson told Golf Digest in 2022, underscoring his burning desire to achieve the Grand Slam. “That would be my last tournament. I will have nothing more to prove.” For fans, the prospect of Mickelson chasing this dream one final time at Oakmont is both thrilling and bittersweet.
Adding to the emotional weight of his announcement is Mickelson’s commitment to his role as captain of the LIV Golf team HyFlyers. The veteran golfer expressed a deep sense of responsibility to ensure the team’s long-term success, even if it means stepping aside as a player. “I want this team to succeed. If I’m not an asset, if I’m holding it back, then it’s time for me to move on and get somebody else in here who is going to help the team win,” Mickelson said. He admitted to feeling that he has “held [the team] back the last couple years,” a rare moment of vulnerability from the typically confident star.
Mickelson’s decision is further complicated by his current standing in the golf world. His move to LIV Golf in 2022 has prevented him from earning Official World Golf Ranking points, causing him to fall outside the top 60, a key qualification criterion for the U.S. Open. His five-year exemption from his 2021 PGA Championship victory expires in 2025, meaning he would need to qualify for future U.S. Opens or rely on a special exemption from the USGA, as he did in 2021. When asked if he would consider going through the qualification process, Mickelson was noncommittal, saying, “I haven’t thought that far ahead.”
Fans have taken to social media to express their grief and admiration, with many moved to tears by the thought of Mickelson’s final U.S. Open appearance. “Phil has been my golfing hero since I was a kid. Knowing this might be his last shot at the U.S. Open breaks my heart,” one fan posted on X. Another wrote, “He’s given us so many memories—those clutch shots, that smile. Golf won’t be the same without him.” The sentiment reflects Mickelson’s enduring popularity, built on his swashbuckling style, fan-friendly demeanor, and perseverance, including his historic 2021 PGA Championship win at age 50, making him the oldest major champion in history.
While Mickelson has not ruled out playing in other events or continuing his involvement with LIV Golf in a non-playing capacity, the 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont—where Arnold Palmer played his final U.S. Open in 1994—feels like a fitting stage for his potential farewell. “There’s a high likelihood that it will be [my last U.S. Open], but I haven’t really thought about it too much,” Mickelson said, leaving the door slightly ajar for a change of heart.
As the golfing community prepares to celebrate Mickelson’s legacy, the 2025 U.S. Open promises to be an emotional milestone. Whether he contends for the title or simply soaks in the applause, Mickelson’s final walk down the fairways at Oakmont will mark the end of an era for one of golf’s greatest ambassadors. Fans will watch with bated breath, hoping for one last moment of Lefty magic while cherishing the memories of a career that has inspired generations.
