32 years as a pro, six majors, and no slot on this year’s Open Championship presser schedule. This is the story of Phil Mickelson. It sounds odd, right? After all, Mickelson has a shining legacy with a total of 45 PGA Tour wins. But it seems his choices in recent years have cost him in more than one way.
Having turned down requests to appear in pressers last season, Mickelson seems to be in an invitation drought this year. His name has been absent from some of the most important interview schedules thus far, including the 2024 Masters. The new media favorite seems to be Bryson DeChambeau, and understandably so. Even Phil Mickelson agrees. Addressing the DeChambeau hype, he said, “I think Bryson’s the most charismatic fun player to watch in the game today.”
Not only did DeChambeau win the U.S. Open, but he also came extremely close to getting a seat on the USA’s team for the Paris Olympics. Even though he missed the opportunity by an inch, it’s remarkable for a LIV Golfer like himself to come this far. It’s simply because the OWGR continues to not recognize the breakaway league because of its format irregularities.
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What used to be Phil Mickelson’s rightful place once upon a time is no longer his. Currently afoot at 203rd place on the OWGR, the 53-year-old has not managed to win a major since his sixth and last win at the PGA Championship 2021. The Open Championship gives him a final chance to reclaim his throne this season. But is Phil Mickelson the only mainstream LIV Golf pro to have been ignored in the presser meet schedule?
The absence of Brooks Koepka’s name from the presser schedule gives him something relatable to Phil Mickelson
Brooks Koepka has also not received an invitation to the presser for the Open Championship. Having won the 2023 PGA Championship, Koepka’s case is even more perplexing than Mickelson’s. But connecting the dots might give a partial answer to the reason behind his absence.
Foremost, his failure to win at the event may be why his name goes unregistered on the presser meet’s schedule. Second, comes the time he channeled his inner Seve Ballesteros at Valhalla earlier this year. Koepka ended up stating the obvious. When asked about his self-evaluation of his performance between Saturday and Sunday, the five-time major winner said, “Not very good. I think it’s pretty obvious, isn’t it.”
Then, there’s also his rejection to engage in media interviews during his play at Pinehurst this season. When asked why he chooses to stay away from the media’s spotlight, Koepka answered candidly. His reasoning was, “I opted not to do ‘em just because I didn’t feel like it. Same questions every week. The lack of creativity with questions is kinda boring. I know I’m not a media favorite either so it’s not like anyone will notice. LOL.”
Maybe this is why Koepka remains outside the spotlight, once again at the Open Championship. Whatever his reason, the Open Championship might just be the moment he has been awaiting. Patrick McDonald has predicted that Koepka has a good shot at a win at the Royal Troon Golf Club. Why? Well, it has to do with his consistency and the links course’s putting surface playing into his strengths.
Even though Phil Mickelson remains ignored at the presser meet, it remains to be seen whether he can turn destiny around in the days to come. What do you think?
