It would not feel great to be 50 and compete on the PGA Tour. However, Phil Mickelson is pulling it off in a sublime fashion. Mickelson soared to the 18-hole lead at the Wells Fargo Championship and set early sights of contending for the title, but finished the tournament on a disastrous note. Here’s why: 

Mickelson got off to a terrific start and played his way to a 7-under 64. He stood atop the leaderboard and gave fans something to hope for. It has been a couple of years since ‘Lefty’ won on the PGA Tour, but Mickelson squandered his chances at the Quail Hollow Club.

Phil Mickelson extensively struggled at the 17th hole 

The par-3 17th hole proved to be the disaster for Phil Mickelson at the Wells Fargo Championship. He made par on the hole when he teed off in Round 1, but the subsequent rounds largely caused his scorecard to spike. 

Mickelson made one-over-par on the front nine during Round 2, but he finished with five-over for the round after completing the back nine. Two bogeys on the 11th and the 16th, then a double-bogey on the 17th, contributed to the scorecard. His tee shot went into the water on the par-3 17th hole. 

The same happened in Round 3 as well. Mickelson lined up for his tee-shot on the 17th and then sent in straight into the water. Furthermore, the 50-year-old committed a double-bogey on the par-4 ninth as well, which further contributed to the downfall. 

Mickelson then made it a hattrick of double-bogeys on the 17th with a water shot in the final round as well. It is really concerning to know that he went 6-over par on the hole over the week. If not for the water, he had a solid chance to make par in all four rounds. 

Phil Mickelson began Round 1 with a score of 7-under par, but his 72-hole score ended up becoming 7-over. One also comprehend that Mickelson majorly lost his footing on the leaderboard due to the 17th hole. 

Hole No. 17 at Quail Hollow Club

The Quail Hollow Club has an interesting layout that plays around with the minds of the golfers. Add gushing winds to the mix, and the game becomes even more challenging. 

As for the par-3 17th, it stretches 223 Yards and is one of the signature holes of the course. The huge bank of water separating the fairway and the green makes it a little tricky, and the hole has seen a lot of double bogeys over the years. 

The 17th hole is the par-3 sandwiched between the 16th and the 18th, which is also called “The Green Mile” stretch. This trifecta of holes is one of the hardest closing stretches one can see on a golf course. 

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