Phil Mickelson Files For Entry To The US Open

News has been scarce on Lefty’s return to the game – until now

Phil Mickelson plays a tee shot during the 2022 PIF Saudi International
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Phil Mickelson has applied to play at this year’s US Open. The American has been on a self-imposed break from the game since apologising for his comments concerning the PGA Tour and LIV Golf Invitational Series. However, it looks like that might soon come to an end.

After Mickelson’s apology statement in February, it was initially thought that he would make his comeback at this year’s Masters – a tournament he had not missed since 1994. However, that failed to transpire, with reports suggesting he had been told or strongly encouraged not to play. Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley refuted that claim last week, saying the 51-year-old had not been disinvited. Nevertheless, Mickelson’s absence from a tournament he has won three times placed huge doubts over his possible involvement in the year’s three remaining Majors.

The next Major is May’s PGA Championship, which Mickelson won last year. While there is no confirmation on whether he will defend his title at that event, it appears he’s at least readying himself for the one that follows, June’s US Open at Brookline. The United States Golf Association’s official website, USGA.org, includes an Entrant Lookup section, and Mickelson appears in that search as an applicant.

Certainly, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Mickelson compete at the event. The US Open is the one Major he’s yet to win as he targets a career Grand Slam. Mickelson has finished runner-up six times in the US Open, and has vowed to retire if he ever wins it. While details are still unclear as to whether Mickelson will return to the game before June's event, the latest news suggests we’ll be hearing more sooner rather than later.

Another player to appear in the search is Tiger Woods, who returned to action at The Masters following a long spell out of the game with injury. Woods has already stated he will play try to play in the PGA Championship next month and July's Open Championship. 

Things You Didn't Know About Phil Mickelson

Mike Hall
News Writer

Mike has over 25 years of experience in journalism, including writing on a range of sports throughout that time, such as golf, football and cricket. Now a freelance staff writer for Golf Monthly, he is dedicated to covering the game's most newsworthy stories. 

He has written hundreds of articles on the game, from features offering insights into how members of the public can play some of the world's most revered courses, to breaking news stories affecting everything from the PGA Tour and LIV Golf to developmental Tours and the amateur game. 

Mike grew up in East Yorkshire and began his career in journalism in 1997. He then moved to London in 2003 as his career flourished, and nowadays resides in New Brunswick, Canada, where he and his wife raise their young family less than a mile from his local course. 

Kevin Cook’s acclaimed 2007 biography, Tommy’s Honour, about golf’s founding father and son, remains one of his all-time favourite sports books.