Phil Mickelson claims European golfer is on ‘verge of greatness’ after PGA Championship performance

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Phil Mickelson has claimed that one golfer is on the verge of greatness following their performance at the PGA Championship over the weekend, while he also lauded Bryson DeChambeau.

It was Xander Schauffele who triumphed in an amazing PGA Championship at Valhalla, with the American breaking the record for the lowest score to par in a major championship in Kentucky.

But the tournament was brimming in remarkable subplots; from Scottie Scheffler being arrested on Friday, to both Schauffele and Shane Lowry tying the major championship record with rounds of 62 over the week, and Bryson DeChambeau coming within one putt of forcing a play-off.

There was also the return to form for Viktor Hovland, with the Norwegian putting a pretty dreadful start to 2024 behind him to finish third.

Phil Mickelson lauds Viktor Hovland after PGA Championship

Eddie Pepperell labelled Hovland an outsider to finish in the top five at Valhalla, which perhaps shows how far his stock had fallen in the months leading up to the event. Hovland had clearly been fighting to find something in his game.

But the 26-year-old reminded everyone of his quality, shooting three rounds of 66 to pile the pressure on Schauffele on the final day. Like DeChambeau, Hovland had a putt on the last to reach -20.

And it seems that Phil Mickelson was hugely impressed by the FedEx Cup champion’s display, as he took to X to laud Hovland, Schauffele and DeChambeau…

Praise for LIV target could be intriguing

It is interesting that Mickelson picked out Hovland for praise amongst such a stacked leaderboard, but perhaps there is a chance that Lefty is on the charm offensive.

LIV Golf have tried to sign Hovland in recent months, and you would not be surprised if he remained one of the Saudi tour’s top targets.

Brooks Koepka relished the chance to make a fresh start on LIV when his stock appeared to be in decline on the PGA Tour, and they may hope that Hovland can be tempted to go down a similar route.

Of course, it may just be that Mickelson was genuinely impressed by Hovland, who was one of a handful within the top 10 at the PGA Championship still awaiting his first major.