Retirement comes to everyone in professional sport and it looks like one of the greats of golf is now considering hanging up his clubs.
Father Time remains undefeated in all sports and the best to ever do it have all had to call time on their career at some point.
Of course, golf allows to extensions to careers with the Seniors Tour and other ways of playing. Indeed, Tiger Woods is now exempt from all majors and signature events, so he can rock up whenever he wants to compete.
However, there will come a time when even Tiger steps away from regular, competitive golf and it looks like one of his old adversaries – and friends – is considering it as well.
Phil Mickelson explains why he might consider retiring
Speaking in an interview for Golf.com, Mickelson has suggested that he is indeed ready to step away if he feels he’s not at the right level.
“As far as my career, I’m realistic with where I’m at. I’m 54 and I’m putting in the work,” he said.
“I also have a unique opportunity because of the fact that physically I’ve been able to withstand injuries and been able to be in better shape to do something at an age that nobody else has done, but I have not played at that level that I need to.
“I see glimpses and my teammates see glimpses of me being where I expect to be able to compete at this level, but I’m also realistic with myself, and if I’m not able to I’ll step aside and let somebody come on in and take the Hy-Flyers to new levels.”
Mickelson did speak in the same interview about continuing to play in the majors for the foreseeable future at least and he wants to keep competing.
However, the time might come as LIV grows that he does indeed step away.
Of course, his comments also suggest he might well stay involved with the Hy-Flyers and you can very much see Mickelson as some sort of coach or captain.
Mickelson has given so much to the game of golf that the reality is he deserves to be around and helping the next generations deliver.
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