The camera rolls on a HyFlyers GC practice round, and Phil Mickelson‘s voice cuts through the calm. “God, why are your scores so high? You must be a shitty putter cuz that was really nice.” His teammates don’t flinch. They’ve learned something crucial about playing alongside—or against—one of golf’s most decorated players.

The revelation came through a recent Instagram video posted by HyFlyers GC. In it, Mickelson’s teammates pull back the curtain on what they call his most challenging habit. The six-time major champion talks more trash than his three teammates combined. Times 10, according to one player. And that’s being gentle.

Mickelson earned his reputation long before joining LIV Golf. Jon Rahm previously identified Mickelson as one of professional golf’s four biggest trash talkers. Rahm even tried matching wits with Phil once. However, Mickelson shifted the conversation to his unique equipment strategies, leaving Rahm at a disadvantage.

The HyFlyers video captures this dynamic perfectly. One teammate explains how Phil’s commentary never stops. “He’s probably equally decorated in trash talk” as he is in major championships, another adds. The comparison isn’t far off. Mickelson’s 45 PGA Tour victories and World Golf Hall of Fame induction in 2012 tell only half his competitive story.

His trash-talking arsenal includes legendary moments. Back in 2003, he told reporters that Tiger Woods had “inferior equipment” despite Tiger’s faster swing speed. Then there was the Matt Kuchar exchange about the green alligator shoes at the Masters. Phil pointed out that you only get those after winning three Masters. Kuchar’s response? “Let’s just hope I only win two.”

The HyFlyers teammates describe a specific challenge with Phil’s banter. When you’re on his team, you don’t mind the constant commentary. Actually, you welcome it. His trash talk targets opponents squarely during team competitions. But when you’re playing against him? That’s when the real test begins. “When you’re not on his team, you just learn to ignore it,” one teammate admits in the video. This matters more in LIV Golf’s unique format. The tour features 13 teams competing across a 14-event season. Players face teammates one week and opponents the next. That constant shuffle means Phil’s verbal warfare eventually becomes everyone’s problem.

Phil Mickelson’s competitive legacy beyond major championships

Mickelson’s competitive fire extends far beyond his trophy case. At 55, he’s still chasing victories on LIV Golf. His 2025 season brought his first career LIV podium finish. Third place at Hong Kong proved his mental game remains sharp. “Just having opportunities to compete and win again is what’s so exciting,” he said recently.

This psychological edge defined his entire career. He employed meditation techniques and extensive visualization practices throughout his dominance on the PGA Tour. After winning the 2021 PGA Championship at 50, Mickelson revealed he’d been practicing 36-45 holes daily while maintaining focus on each shot. That mental discipline paired perfectly with his verbal warfare tactics.

His aggressive playing style—notably the famous “Phil Flop”—served dual purposes. First, it demonstrated technical mastery. Second, it intimidated opponents who witnessed his daring shot-making. The trash talk amplified both effects. Meanwhile, golf evolved from its “gentleman’s game” roots into accepting more competitive banter. Mickelson helped drive that cultural shift.

Now, as HyFlyers GC captain, he’s teaching his younger teammates about the mental aspects of competition. Brendan Steele, Cameron Tringale, and Andy Ogletree watch their captain work daily. They’re learning more than golf shots. They’re learning how a Hall of Famer uses every psychological tool available. Even the annoying ones.