Phil Mickelson is firmly in contention heading into the final round of LIV Golf’s Hong Kong event. The lefty is eight under and three shots back of the lead.
Three years after joining the Saudi-backed venture, Mickelson is still hunting for his maiden victory, and he won’t be presented with a better chance than the one in Fanling.
Mickelson’s putter change has worked well, and the six-time major winner is also looking to implement a new game plan to compete with the likes of Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Joaquin Niemann.
Whatever Mickelson is doing appears to be working, and the 54-year-old detailed what he’s been “fighting” in his game for the past three years.
Phil Mickelson details changes he’s made
Speaking during his post-round media duties, Mickelson discussed what he’s had to change in order to remain competitive.
“I’ve been fighting it for the last three years, trying to play the way I’ve always played. As the courses and players get longer, and I’m not staying with it, I just have to find another way to play golf courses. What’s happened is that I’ve got to minimize the mistakes and play a little bit differently, and I can shoot low scores another way,” Mickelson said.
“I made seven birdies yesterday, but I made four bogeys. I’ve got to eliminate those. I made seven birdies today; I made two bogeys. Tomorrow, I’ve got to make seven birdies and have no bogeys, and I’ve got a shot at winning this tournament.
“Minimizing the mistakes allows me to not have to make as many birdies and to play a much easier style of game. I should say less stressful style. That’s what I’m looking at doing.
“When I look at how I’m going to attack or play a golf course, it’s entirely different on where I’m trying to get aggressive and where I’m not. But there’s still plenty of birdie opportunities.”
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Phil Mickelson’s distance struggles laid bare
Mickelson, objectively, has had to find a new way to remain competitive on LIV. According to the league’s stats database, the American is the tour’s shortest hitter and averaging 50 yards less than LIV’s biggest hitter, Peter Uihlein.
When playing for further back, finding the fairway is essential. However, Mickelson’s strength has not always been accuracy. During his heyday, the lefty’s elite-level approach play and short game bailed him out on numerous occasions.
However, 2025 has seen a marked improvement in driving accuracy. Mickelson is currently the third most accurate hitter on LIV and has found the fairway 69% of the time.
Interestingly, LIV’s longest hitter, Uihlein, is at the foot of the accuracy table.
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