Phil Mickelson’s Last Shot at the Grand Slam

Phil Mickelson is acutely aware that his opportunities to complete the Grand Slam are rapidly decreasing.

The 54-year-old golfer is gearing up for the US Open next week, which he acknowledges might be his final chance to join the elite group of golfers who have achieved this milestone.

The tournament will kick off on June 12 at Oakmont Country Club in Pittsburgh, and Mickelson is keen to make an impact.

During a press conference at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Gainesville, Virginia, Mickelson remarked, “But I don’t think much about it.”

This year marks the conclusion of Mickelson’s five-year exemption to compete in the US Open, which he secured after winning the 2021 PGA Championship at Kiawah Island, South Carolina.

Once this exemption is up, he would need to enter the qualifying rounds, which consist of an initial 18-hole qualifier followed by a final 36-hole qualifier.

When asked about his willingness to undergo that process in the future, he replied, “I don’t know. I wasn’t thinking that much.”

Mickelson has previously finished as the runner-up multiple times at the US Open. Now, just a few weeks shy of his 55th birthday, he boasts an impressive record of 45 PGA Tour victories, which includes three Masters titles, two PGA Championships, and one Open Championship.

In February, the USGA announced a new qualification route for Liv Golf players to gain direct access to the US Open.

If Liv golfers aren’t already exempt, they can secure an automatic spot through their final individual rankings for the year in Liv Golf. Presently, Mickelson holds the 15th position in those rankings.