Phil Mickelson missed the cut at last week’s PGA Championship, but this did not stop the two-time champion from heaping praise on players from both the PGA Tour and LIV Golf

Phil Mickelson provided a candid assessment of last week’s PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club, highlighting three players in particular who impressed on the major stage.

The week belonged to PGA Tour star Xander Schauffele, as the world No. 2 secured his first ever major championship with a wire-to-wire win. He got his hands on the Wanamaker Trophy on Sunday, after carding a superb six-under-65 in the final round, including a superb birdie at the par-five 18th.

In doing so he pipped LIV Golf rival Bryson DeChambeau to the title. DeChambeau more than played his part though, shooting a bogey-free seven-under 64 to ensure Schauffele had to make birdie at the last to secure his maiden major win.

It was also a successful week for Viktor Hovland, who finished third, three shots behind Schauffele. Hovland has been out of sorts in 2024, failing to replicate the form that saw him become FedEx Cup champion last August. He looked back to his best in Kentucky though, securing his best finish of the year so far.

One man who failed to make his mark however was Mickelson, as the 2021 champion missed the cut by five shots after struggling to find his best form in round one and two. Off the course, the 53-year-old has found himself at the centre of the split between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, having made the Saudi switch two years ago.

The fallout has been one of the darkest period’s in professional golfing history, but Mickelson was key to highlight the positives for the sport following the week at Valhalla, especially the efforts of Schauffele, DeChambeau and Hovland. “What an exciting PGA Championship at Valhalla,” he tweeted.

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“Congrats to Xander who was solid all day and delivered when he needed it most. Bryson continues to be fascinating and exciting to watch while Hovland shows he too is on the verge of greatness. A great weekend for golf.” Mickelson failed to break par despite favouring conditions on day one and two, ending the week at four-over through 36 holes.

It remains to be seen how many more major outings the 53-year-old has left in him, after hinting his retirement from competing could well be right around the corner. Speaking ahead of LIV Singapore earlier this month, he told Bloomberg TV: “I’m 53 now and my career, you know, if I’m being truthful it’s toward its end.

“Now, I would like to help others find the same enjoyment and fulfilment that the game of golf has provided me.” Mickelson has enjoyed quite the career, winning 45 times during his PGA Tour career, as well as six major titles. His last was an historic one, after he became the oldest major champion of all time when winning the 2021 PGA Championship at the age of 50.