Phil Mickelson shows true colours to Scottie Scheffler after 'worst take in the history of golf'

Daily Mirror

21-07-2025

Phil Mickelson has responded to Scottie Scheffler's Open Championship victory after the American's "hot take" from earlier this year was called out by many golf fans
Golf legend Phil Mickelson has been left with egg on his face after Scottie Scheffler 's sensational run of form in 2025. The Texan has clinched four PGA Tour victories so far this year, including the PGA Championship and The Open.
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Scheffler, 29, secured his fourth major at Royal Portrush on Sunday, overshadowing Rory McIlroy 's much-anticipated return to Northern Ireland. His remarkable year also includes triumphs at The CJ Cup Byron Nelson and The Memorial Tournament, though he has laughed off comparisons to golf great Tiger Woods.
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Six-time major winner Mickelson had previously cast doubt over Scheffler's prospects for the remainder of 2025. 'Lefty' made a bold statement earlier this year, which The Mirror US report has already been disproved and dubbed arguably the "worst take in golf history."
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"Here's a hot take," read Mickelson's post on X back in March. "Does Scottie win in 2025 before the Ryder Cup? I don't think so."
Following Scheffler's stunning 68 on Sunday to finish 17-under at Royal Portrush, Mickelson has had to awkwardly retract his comments. But the veteran, who was recently mocked for his decision to expand the LIV Golf League, did so in modest fashion.
"Congrats to Scottie Scheffler on another impressive victory," he said on social media, showing his true colours in acknowledging his misjudgement. "So many irons shots were amazing and what a putting performance."
Golf enthusiasts couldn't help but poke fun at Mickelson's misjudged prediction as one fan teased: "But I thought he wasn't going to win another one this year?" Another amazed spectator chimed in: "Phil got some explaining to do about that tweet."
And a third fan hit back with a pointed reminder: "You were dead wrong about him not winning before the Ryder Cup! Wayyyyy off."
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Mickelson etched his name into the history books by making his 103rd cut in men's major championships this weekend. That saw him surpass Gary Player to claim second place on the all-time list.
The Open holds a special place in Mickelson's heart, especially following his 2013 victory when he was the only contender to come in under par. After his best opening round at an Open Championship since 2016, Mickelson expressed relief at catching a break with the weather.
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"We had a pretty good break before the rain came in. It came in just [after] the last couple holes," he said. "I really enjoy playing these conditions and playing this tournament. It's just a lot of fun.
"I think winning The Open in 2013 was the greatest accomplishment in my career because I had to learn a style of golf that I didn't grow up playing. Now I've come to really love it, enjoy it, and I seem to play well in some of the adverse conditions.
"When you get conditions like this, you start to fall back on realising that 60, 80 feet in the proper spot is like a good spot, and you start to realise that you can make 20- or 30-footers out here.
"You find that going back on past experience, you don't have to press it. You don't have to force it."