Was Oakmont Phil Mickelson’s final U.S. Open? Our writers chime in

Check in after each round of the 2025 U.S. Open for the unfiltered opinions of our writers and editors as they break down the hottest topics of the championship, and join the conversation by tweeting us @golf_com.

Phil Mickelson double bogeyed two of his last four holes to miss the U.S. Open cut by a stroke, which could be his final appearance in the only major championship he’s yet to win. While he still could qualify for future U.S. Opens or receive a special exemption from the USGA, do you believe this will be his last?

Josh Schrock, associate editor (@Schrock_And_Awe): It’s really a toss-up. The USGA has given out exemptions before, and they gave one to Phil for the 2021 U.S. Open that he didn’t end up using since he won the PGA at Kiawah. Would it be nice to see Phil play one final U.S. Open at Shinnecock, where he was runner-up in 2004 and hockey-putted in 2018? Sure. But there might be a few things working against Phil. First of all, Mickelson and the USGA have butted heads for years. From calling out Mike Davis for the setup at Merion to calling Mike Whan’s decision to make Talor Gooch ineligible a d–k move, the relationship hasn’t had the warm fuzzies. Phil also hasn’t been a factor in major championships since his T2 at the 2023 Masters. For that matter, he hasn’t really done much on LIV, either. Then, there’s the LIV factor and Mickelson’s role in fracturing the game. All of that makes me think the USGA won’t exactly be running to give him a free ticket to Shinnecock. But I do think Mickelson will try to qualify if he doesn’t earn his way in via LIV’s exemption or a miraculous performance at the Open or next year’s Masters. I won’t be surprised if he’s around but I’m not counting on it either.

Josh Sens, senior writer (@JoshSens): I don’t think we’ve seen the last of him in this event, though a conventional USGA exemption seems less likely than something more outlandishly on-brand, catching fire at Portrush or Augusta, or powering his way through qualifying while playing right-handed. Something expectedly unexpected.

Dylan Dethier, senior writer (@dylan_dethier): I have no idea. But I do know that it was a hell of a dramatic way to go. I was standing beside the 18th green on Friday as Phil nearly landed his approach shot in the hole. And then, as he waited to hit the birdie putt he needed to make to sneak inside the cut, lightning flashed behind him. Thunder boomed. And his putt slid by the hole. Time to see if that’s the end of a stormy relationship.

Josh Berhow, managing editor (@Josh_Berhow): I don’t think he’s done yet, but as Schrock pointed out, it’s been a messy, complicated relationship he’s had with the USGA, which is exactly why this topic is so juicy — and difficult to predict. I wouldn’t rule out Phil trying to qualify in the future (and he would have a decent chance to get through) but I lean toward the USGA giving him one final send-off, eventually. It would be a nice way for him to go out.

Sean Zak, senior editor (@Sean_Zak): No, this is not Phil’s final Open. I see a future where he wins the U.S. Senior Open and the exemption that comes along with it. Otherwise, this could be it.

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