Phil Mickelson ‘very impressed’ with one youngster on LIV Golf after playing with him for the very first time in Hong Kong

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One of LIV Golf’s youngest players caught Phil Mickelson’s eye during the second round of the Hong Kong event in Fanling.

Mickelson is tied for fourth heading into Sunday’s final 18. The six-time major winner is hunting his maiden LIV Golf victory.

Peter Uihlein, Sergio Garcia and Paul Casey lead the way on 11 under, and Mito Pereira and Sebastian Munoz are three shots back alongside the legendary lefty.

Mickelson’s putter change appears to be working well, and the 54-year-old will be looking to mount a charge on Sunday. If Mickelson wins, it will be one of the stories of the year thus far.

Phil Mickelson drops verdict on Tom McKibbin at LIV Golf Hong Kong

Mickelson was playing alongside Legion XIII’s Tom McKibbin on Saturday, and the three-time Masters winner was impressed with what he witnessed from the Northern Irishman.

“I had a fun day. I played with Tom McKibbin and Charles Howell, and this was the first time I had played with Tom. Very impressive. What a great player, great person, and fun to be around, and I played well, he played well, and we had a nice day,” Mickelson said.

“I’m really having fun. I’m really having fun. I’m excited for our team. We played well in the final round in Adelaide. You wouldn’t see it; we moved up, we finished fifth, we had some momentum, we worked hard the last couple of weeks, and we put it together the first two days, and we’re really excited about the opportunity tomorrow, and we’re having a blast.”

• READ MORE: Tom McKibbin responds to what Rory McIlroy said about him before the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am on the PGA Tour

Tom McKibbin’s second round at LIV Golf Hong Kong

McKibbin is seven under and four shots back of the lead after 36 holes of action. The 22-year-old made four birdies and didn’t drop a shot on Friday to place himself firmly in contention.

McKibbin is coming off of a T15 finish in Riyadh and a T7 in Adelaide. It’s been a bright start to his LIV Golf career, and it feels like only a matter of time before he lands a podium finish.

Elsewhere, Jon Rahm is seven under, as is two-time US Open champ Bryson DeChambeau. The big-hitting American made an eagle and two birdies during the second round.

At the other end of the leaderboard, it’s been a tournament to forget for Dustin Johnson. The 4Aces’ captain is seven over and well out of contention.