Phil Mickelson was on the receiving end of some brutal jokes after he endured a nightmare start to the 2025 PGA Championship.
Mickelson is among 16 LIV Golf recruits in the field at the second men’s major of the year at Quail Hollow in North Carolina.
Lefty stated at the beginning of 2025 that he believed he could contend in another major championship and even grab his first victory on the PIF-backed league.
But it looks as though he is heading for his second missed cut in a row at a major after carding an opening 79.
Mickelson’s round included a triple bogey on the par-5 7th as well as eight bogeys. Two birdies, at the 8th and 15th, helped the 54-year-old break 80.
“What did everyone expect?” one X user wrote. “You have to hit fairways and Phil has never been known for his driving accuracy.”
Another wrote: “He should stick to YouTube.”
This person added: “This is not new anymore. He has been doing this in majors for four years now.”
The score matched Mickelson’s highest in 117 PGA Championship rounds.
He has missed the cut just four times in this major.
Only four years ago, Mickelson became the oldest player to win a major championship aged 50.
Mickelson held off Brooks Koepka in the final round of the 2021 PGA Championship at Kiawah Island.
He also won the PGA Championship in 2005 at Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, New Jersey.
Rain delays meant Mickelson had to return to the course on Monday and a dramatic birdie at the final hole sealed a one-stroke victory.
At the time, it was his second major win after he captured the 2004 Masters.