Congratulations to Phil Mickelson and his diehard fans as he defied the online betting odds and became the oldest player to win a major with his victory at the 2021 PGA Championship. Mickelson was as big as a 300-1 underdog to pull it off.
Imagine not being turned on by this masterpiece… @PhilMickelson… pic.twitter.com/EVMw6iEF08
— West Texas Driving Range Pro (@jjkilleentcu) May 25, 2021
With his first major victory in eight years, Mickelson has everyone questioning: what other major victory is in Mickelson’s horizon?
Let’s check the latest Golf picks, stats, injury reports, and Golf predictions. We’ve plenty of Golf expert picks for you to consider.
Phil Mickelson at the 2021 U.S. Open
Will Phil Mickelson Make The Cut?
Phil Mickelson will undoubtedly be the star player when they tee off at Torrey Pines. The 50-year-old can win the only major tournament that has eluded him: the US Open. Mickelson has won three times at Torrey Pines but only tied for 18th when the US Open was held here in 2008.
It will be a tough ask for Mickelson to repeat the magic he pulled off at Kiawah, but he’s only missed the cut a total of four times at the US Open. He made the cut at the Farmers Insurance Open earlier this year as well.
Pick: Yes (-145)
Where Will Phil Mickelson Finish In the 2021 U.S. Open?
Winner: +4500
Top 5: +750
Top 10: +350
Top 20: +165
What Mickelson pulled off at the PGA Championship was the stuff of legends. I won’t say that’s a “fluke” as a legend like Mickelson is simply proving there’s more to this game than age or recent performance dictates. But Mickelson has been a distant participant leading up to that.
Mickelson hasn’t had a single Top 20 finish before Kiawah and he’s struggling at the Charles Schwab Challenge. I’ll never count Mickelson out, but even if he makes the cut, finishing in the Top 20 is going to be another tall task.
Pick: Pass or Top 20 (+165)
Phil Mickelson at 2021 The Open Championship
Will Phil Mickelson Make The Cut at the 2021 Open Championship?
Mickelson has made a few memories at the Royal St. George’s Golf Club, namely for his second-placed finish the last time The Open was held here in 2011. He came on strong on Sunday but couldn’t quite reach Darren Clarke. In 2003, he finished T-53 but that’s still making the cut.
Although Mickelson has missed the cut in The Open in two of his last three appearances, he’s generally performed well enough to make it.
Pick: Yes (-150)
Where Will Phil Mickelson Finish In the 2021 Open Championship?
Winner: +4500
Top 5: +900
Top 10: +400
Top 20: +220
Something about the air in the United Kingdom brings out the best in Mickelson. He missed the cut in The Open in 2017 and 2019 but he has flirted with a Top 20 finish in several recent years: T-24 in 2018, T-20 in 2015, and T-23 in 2014.
Prior to that, Mickelson won the Open in 2013, two years after finishing second in 2011. At +220, it’s worth a small shot that Mickelson can work his way into a Top 20 tie. But it’s more than likely he’ll fall just outside as his recent results have shown.
Pick: Pass or Top 20 (+220)
Phil Mickelson versus Tiger Woods
Who Wins Another PGA Tour Major First? Mickelson or Woods?
Before Mickelson pulled the improbable with his 2021 PGA Championship victory, Tiger Woods did it first by capturing the 2019 Masters. But everything after that was a struggle for the all-time great who missed the cut on three of the next six majors and then got into a horrible accident preceded by a grueling rehab.
It’s unclear when Woods will return and what shape he’ll be in when he returns. Even the current best golfers like Brooks Koepka and Dustin Johnson have been a shell of themselves when struggling with an injury. Mickelson will have at least a handful of majors before Woods is even back to game shape.
Pick: Phil Mickelson -800
Will Mickelson and Woods (Both) Win Another PGA Tour Major Before December 2023?
Never count out legends. Woods proved that in 2019 and Mickelson did that in 2021. The odds are incredibly stacked against them. Woods may not even return until 2022 and even when he’s close to 100%, that may not be enough to make a serious run. Mickelson will have to channel some 2021 Kiawah magic again.
If you want to believe they can do it, all the power to you. It’s 50-to-1 they both do it but if you want to play the lotto on two of our favorite golf heroes, by all means. Also check Corales Puntacana Championship odds and SDC Championship odds.
