“Californians voted for this” – Phil Mickelson takes subtle dig at voters over predicted SoCal gas price hike

American professional golfer Phil Mickelson recently reacted to a hike in gas prices. He responded to a post on X, implying that voters were to blame for the high cost of gas.

Mickelson has 45 PGA Tour titles and is tied for the eighth-most titles of all time. He has won 11 tournaments on the European Tour and has claimed six major championship titles. He is also a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame and has won the Jack Nicklaus Award three times.

On Thursday, May 8, ABC7 shared a post on X stating that SoCal gas prices were projected to reach $6 per gallon by the end of 2025 and $8 by 2026. The post added:

“It’s not due to tariffs. The refinery retreat that could wallop your wallet.”

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Phil Mickelson retweeted it and wrote:

“Californians voted for this so no b*tching and complaining about it.”

Here’s a look at the LIV Golf star’s tweet:

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Phil Mickelson played on the PGA Tour until 2022 when he joined LIV Golf, the Saudi-Backed league. He is yet to secure a victory on the league and has has five top-10 finishes in the individual standings since he joined.

How did Phil Mickelson perform in the 2025 Masters Tournament?

In addition to six LIV Golf tournaments this year, Phil Mickelson also teed off in the 2025 Masters at Augusta National. The 54-year-old competed in the tournament in hopes of securing his third Masters title and seventh major, but was not so fortunate. He scored 75-74 in the first two rounds and missed the cut line.

In his first round at Augusta, Phil Mickelson made five bogeys and two birdies. He started his second round with a birdie and shot a disastrous double bogey on the 15th. At the end of the day, the California-born golfer finished with a five-over.

Here’s a look at Phil Mickelson’s scorecard from the first and second rounds of the tournament:

Round 1

Hole 1 (par 4) - 4
Hole 2 (par 5) - 5
Hole 3 (par 4) - 4
Hole 4 (par 3) - 3
Hole 5 (par 4) - 5
Hole 6 (par 3) - 3
Hole 7 (par 4) - 5
Hole 8 (par 5) - 5
Hole 9 (par 4) - 5
Hole 10 (par 4) - 4
Hole 11 (par 4) - 4
Hole 12 (par 3) - 3
Hole 13 (par 5) - 5
Hole 14 (par 4) - 3
Hole 15 (par 5) - 5
Hole 16 (par 3) - 2
Hole 17 (par 4) - 5
Hole 18 (par 4) - 5

Round 2

Hole 1 (par 4) - 4
Hole 2 (par 5) - 4
Hole 3 (par 4) - 4
Hole 4 (par 3) - 3
Hole 5 (par 4) - 5
Hole 6 (par 3) - 2
Hole 7 (par 4) - 4
Hole 8 (par 5) - 5
Hole 9 (par 4) - 4
Hole 10 (par 4) 3
Hole 11 (par 4) - 4
Hole 12 (par 3) - 3
Hole 13 (par 5) - 5
Hole 14 (par 4) - 4
Hole 15 (par 5) - 7
Hole 16 (par 3) - 4
Hole 17 (par 4) - 4
Hole 18 (par 4) - 5

About the author

Sarah Rishama Madaki is a dedicated Golf Writer at Sportskeeda with a passion for bringing fresh perspectives to the world of sports journalism. With five years of professional experience as a content writer and strategist, she has worked with global brands across diverse industries, including stints at Soot Africa, TWU, Ink Different Hub, and Attrock.

A devoted fan of golf, Sarah stays updated on the sport through platforms like ESPN, SS Golf, and esteemed publications such as Golf Digest and Golf.com. She combines her knowledge of the game with an ability to understand audience preferences, crafting stories that resonate deeply with readers.

Sarah credits Tiger Woods as her inspiration for entering the world of golf. His resilience, innovative contributions to the game, and achievements motivate her to push boundaries in her career.

Beyond golf, Sarah is an avid NFL enthusiast cheering for the Kansas City Chiefs, a fiction novel lover, and a budding gardener. She aspires to one day cover historic events like The Masters at Augusta National Golf Club, bringing fans closer to the heart of the action.

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Edited by Samya Majumdar