Phil Mickelson has brutal round after making PGA Championship cut

May 20, 2023
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ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Phil Mickelson, who made the 36-hole cut on the number at 5-over par on Friday, doubled that number in Saturday’s third round of the PGA Championship at Oak Hill.

The 52-year-old Mickelson, two years removed from his PGA Championship victory at Kiawah Island to become the oldest player to a major championship, shot a 5-over-par 75 on Saturday to stand 10-over for the tournament.

At the time his round was finished, Mickelson was 15 shots out of the tournament lead.

Mickelson, who finished runner-up at the Masters last month despite not having distinguished himself in any of the LIV Golf tournaments he’s played, on Friday insisted there was a low round out there.

Yet he simply never got anything going and never birdied a hole Saturday.

He took a double bogey on No. 2 and bogeyed Nos. 6, 9 and 16.

Phil Mickelson struggles in the third round of the PGA Championship on Saturday, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con

Phil Mickelson shot 5-over-par during the third round of the PGA Championship on Saturday. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con

“I thought it was a fun, fair test,’’ Mickelson said after his round. “I really enjoyed the challenge. We saw some good scores out there. It’s doable. I mean, there’s birdie holes out there. It’s not impossible. It’s just playing difficult. But if you play well, I think you can shoot under par here.’’

For Mickelson, this has been somewhat of a milestone week.

Friday marked the 100th career cut he’s made in a major championship. He’s tied with Jack Nicklaus and Raymond Floyd for most made cuts at the PGA Championship at 27.

The first cut in a major championship Mickelson ever made was in 1990 at Medinah outside of Chicago.

He’s won six majors in his Hall of Fame career, missing only a U.S. Open, a which he’s finished runner-up six times.

Phil Mickelson attempts a putt during the third round of the PGA Championship. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con

“It shows that I’ve had a lot of great experiences in the game of golf and that I’ve had a lot of great years and opportunities and I guess life experiences,’’ Mickelson said. “Playing in these tournaments is something I’m very appreciative of. It just shows how old I am, I guess, and how many years I’ve been playing. But it’s been really fun to participate in so many great events and play well in them.’’

Source: New York Post