Another major might just be knocking on Phil’s door! After seeing dwindling performances from Phil Mickelson these past couple of years, the golf world had lost its faith in him. Yeah, people still loved him, but not his game. But Lefty is on a mission to change that, it seems. After his solo third in Hong Kong, which marked his first podium finish since joining LIV Golf as an original member in 2022, by the way, Mickelson made a bold admission. “We are starting to trend up. We are starting to play really well. And there are four majors. So, my goal is to win a LIV event. My goal to win another major, um, I can feel is within reach,” he said. He is eyeing his 4th Green Jacket at Augusta next week. After a good run in Miami, Lefty just reiterated his last week’s words.

At LIV Golf Miami, Mickelson has remained in contention despite challenging conditions. After an opening round 3-under 69, he posted a 1-over 73 in the second round, leaving him at 2-under overall and tied for fourth. He trails leader Bryson DeChambeau (-5), while Sergio Garcia and Patrick Reed sit at -3 in second place. Mickelson’s confidence is evident in his performance, but he attributes it to something deeper.

“Yeah, so it’s a confidence. I’m hitting the shots. But it’s also the ability to kind of control your mind and control your thoughts,” he explained in Saturday’s post-round press conference. This mental strength has impressed even his playing partners, with golf influencer Grant Horvat recently stating, “Playing with Phil, it’s definitely helped my mental game for sure.”

The six-time major champion emphasized staying present as his key focus. “Not jump ahead and not think about a couple shots in advance but to be really, like, what is best shot I can hit here, what is the best place I can put it,” Mickelson said. His ability to process information has dramatically improved his decision-making on the course, allowing him to recover from that poor start and remain in contention.

Unlike previous years, Mickelson isn’t forcing shots that aren’t there. Instead, he’s making smarter club selections and focusing on the best possible outcome. “I’ve been able to think much better. I’ve been able to process things much better, stay present much better, not force it much better than I have in the past,” he shared. This approach was evident in his second-round recovery, where he added four birdies after his rough start.

This mental clarity has translated directly to his ball-striking. His driving accuracy at LIV Golf Miami is 65.08%, ranking him 10th in the field. His improved driving and strategic thinking have helped him navigate Trump National Doral’s challenging layout, which he described as having “a major championship feel.”

Mickelson highlighted how his approach at LIV Miami mirrors what’s needed at Augusta. “How you deal with adversity, how you deal with bad shots, how you deal with mistakes or unlucky breaks and how you come back from that and how you fight through it, that’s how you win majors,” the former Masters champion explained. The mental resilience he’s developing isn’t just about making good shots. It’s about recovering from the inevitable bad ones. Mickelson’s focus on bouncing back from adversity shows he understands this critical aspect, as evidenced by his T2 finish at the 2023 Masters, where he shot a final-round 65 at age 52.

As Mickelson prepares to head to Augusta, he believes the mental challenges at LIV Miami provide the perfect preparation for the pressures of competing for a green jacket. That is one great outlook! From thinking that he’s coming close to retirement to being confident in his game, Mickelson sure has come a long way!

This mental attitude is not limited to Mickelson alone; other veterans have showcased it as well.

How veteran golfers evolved their mental game for late-career success

Mickelson isn’t the first golf legend to reinvent his mental approach to extend his competitive career. Tiger Woods famously adjusted his mental game after his comeback from back surgeries. Woods shifted from an aggressive, attack-every-pin mentality to a more strategic, patient approach. “I was very disciplined in what I was doing out there… just handle your business, work your way up the board,” Woods explained after his improbable 2019 Masters win at age 43. His ability to stay composed while competitors faltered showed his mental evolution.

Jack Nicklaus pioneered this mental transformation decades earlier. After struggling in his late 40s, Nicklaus adjusted his preparation, focusing more on visualization and course management. This mental shift culminated in his historic 1986 Masters win at age 46. At Augusta that year, Nicklaus demonstrated remarkable mental discipline, shooting 30 on the back nine while younger competitors faltered under pressure. “I finally found that guy I used to know on the golf course,” Nicklaus reflected after becoming the oldest Masters champion.

More recently, Bernhard Langer has dominated senior golf well into his 60s by embracing a process-focused mentality. With a record 12 senior majors and 46 PGA Tour Champions wins, Langer prioritizes accuracy and mental discipline over raw power. “Golf is very technical and mental… You don’t need strength—just great touch,” Langer explained while recovering from injury in 2024. His ability to shoot bogey-free rounds in challenging conditions demonstrates the same present-focused approach that Mickelson is now emphasizing.

These veteran success stories suggest Mickelson’s mental transformation could indeed extend his competitive window at major championships. As golf’s physical demands increase with modern equipment and athletic training, the mental game remains the great equalizer for experienced champions.