Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson are frequently credited with shaping golf’s modern era. Their rivalry had stretched over decades, and both displayed sharp contrasts: Tiger with his relentless precision, Phil with his fearless creativity. This has often led fans to argue over who would outlast the other on golf’s biggest stages.

That debate resurfaced recently when analyst Brandel Chamblee weighed in during The Dan Patrick Show. True to form, Chamblee didn’t mince words, but his answer carried a surprising twist. When asked which icon still has “another act” left in them, he gave the edge not to Tiger, but to Phil.

“I would probably say Phil,” he admitted. He then laid out why Tiger’s body remains the barrier. “Unfortunately, Tiger busted his Achilles again. I don’t know how you come back from that at 50 years of age.”

Chamblee noted that Tiger has only one possible lifeline. “Unless Tiger decides to ride a golf cart on the Champions Tour,” he suggested. Still, even this solution comes with challenges. “I don’t know that he could ride a cart in the US Senior Open, which you can on the Champions Tour. And I don’t know even if they would let him ride a cart, or if he would do it, because he has such a strong sense of fairness about him.”

Tiger’s track record makes the US Senior Open a likely target. “Tiger has won three US Juniors, three US Amateurs, and three US Opens. If he were to play, I guarantee you it’s a goal of his to play the US Senior Open and win it.” But without a cart concession, his future remains in doubt.

Phil’s outlook, by contrast, appears far more promising. When Patrick asked, “What about Phil?”, Chamblee pointed to Mickelson’s staying power. “Phil could pop up at the Masters. Jack Nicklaus finished fifth there when he was 58 years old.”

Mickelson’s game continues to hold up against younger competition. “Phil still bombs it, is energetic, youthful, and feverishly pursues this game of golf,” Chamblee explained. He then offered the ultimate proof. “He won a major at nearly 52 years of age. It wouldn’t surprise me—Phil still acts like a kid again when he has a golf club in his hand.”

Chamblee siding with Phil is striking, given their rocky history. The analyst has often criticized Mickelson in public, especially during the LIV Golf saga. He once blasted Phil’s claims about LIV players as “insanely idiotic comments”, accusing him of chasing attention over substance. He even revisited the 2014 Ryder Cup, suggesting Mickelson tried to undermine Captain Tom Watson by “corrupting that team from the inside out.”

Such clashes show that Chamblee is no Mickelson loyalist. But when faced with such a question, his verdict remains fair.

And he is right, Mickelson’s energy and health still make him a noted competitor on the course. But, Tiger’s injuries, combined with his pride, may hold him back unless he embraces the cart-friendly Champions Tour.

Moreover, his recent injuries aren’t the only reason. Increasingly, Tiger’s focus has turned toward guiding the game’s future. He now serves as chair of the PGA Tour’s newly established Future Competition Committee, a critical group tasked with steering the Tour’s next era. Alongside this role, Tiger is a leading voice on both the Policy Board and Enterprises Board of Directors, playing a vital part in shaping decisions that will impact the sport for years to come. In addition, Tiger is deeply invested in innovative venture TGL

However, even with this in context, does Mickelson’s form really back Chamblee’s claims?

Phil Mickelson’s recent form: Enough to justify Brandel Chamblee’s bold pick?

Even at 54, Phil Mickelson still draws eyes on the golf course. Despite inconsistent major results, he shows flashes of brilliance. On the LIV Golf circuit, he delivered steady performances. At Royal Portrush, his short-game shots impressed many. These moments raise a key question: can he still compete at the highest level? Moreover, do his recent results justify Brandel Chamblee’s bold pick over Tiger Woods?

Phil Mickelson’s 2025 season showcases a blend of consistency and flashes of brilliance, reinforcing Brandel Chamblee’s endorsement. In LIV Golf events, Mickelson secured a T19 finish at LIV Golf Singapore with rounds of 69-68-72, totaling -4, followed by a T22 at LIV Golf Mexico City, shooting 71-69-72 (-1), a T4 at LIV Golf Virginia, posting an impressive 67-68-65 (-13), and a T29 finish at Michigan with a -2 score, demonstrating his ability to remain competitive across various courses.

Beyond the numbers, Mickelson’s resilience and skill were evident during the 2025 Open Championship at Royal Portrush. He carded a 1-under 70 in the first round, marking his best opening round at The Open since 2016. In the final round, he surged with a 66, moving up the leaderboard and showcasing his enduring talent.

These performances underscore Mickelson’s ongoing competitiveness, aligning with Chamblee’s assessment of his potential for a significant comeback.