"Phil Mickelson is washed up" - Fans react to the 54-YO struggling at Oakmont CC ahead of the US Open

Phil Mickelson will tee off at the 125th US Open this week, but fans are already doubting his chances after seeing him struggle during practice at Oakmont Country Club.

In a video shared by NUCLR Golf, the 54-year-old was seen battling the thick rough at Oakmont, one of the toughest courses in major championship golf. Mickelson missed a putt after failing to get the ball cleanly out of the dense grass. Though he eventually managed to hit the ball, netizens didn't seem impressed.

Earlier, PGA Tour pro Ben Griffin also previewed the course by tossing a ball into the rough to show how deep it sank. The video confirmed just how difficult the setup will be this week.

NUCLR Golf posted the clip of Mickelson with the question:

"Will Phil capture the career grand slam this week?"

Fans were quick to respond to his shot-making as one wrote:

"If @PhilMickelson is struggling like that at the #USOpen , could be a rough week..."

"Phil is washed up!" a user chimed in.

Another added:

"Hot take! Phil won’t get his career grand slam this weekend"

Phil Mickelson has won six major championships: three Masters, two PGA Championships, and one Open Championship. The US Open is the only major he hasn’t won. However, he has finished runner-up six times at the event.

One fan simply commented:

"Doubtful"

Another bluntly said:

"He's not even going to make the cut lol"

The 125th US Open could be Phil Mickelson's last tournament. Ahead of the LIV Golf Virginia last week, where he finished T4, Mickelson admitted, via NBCSports:

“It’s very possible that this is the last tournament I ever win. Like if I’m being realistic."

Mickelson is playing this year’s US Open on a five-year exemption after winning the 2021 PGA Championship.

What does the USGA say about Phil Mickelson’s future?

Phil Mickelson hasn’t been competitive in recent majors. After a surprising runner-up finish at the 2023 Masters, he has missed the cut in six of his last nine major starts. His best finish in that stretch is T43. He recently hinted that this year’s US Open could be his last.

When asked about Mickelson’s future at the event, USGA chief championship officer John Bodenhamer said that they were open to reviewing his status.

"It's like anything; we would review things for Shinnecock ahead of next year and look at all of those possibilities and evaluate it from there.I think the way that we would also think of Phil is we hope he earns his way in, and I think he'd tell you the same thing. That's what he did last time. We gave him one and then he went out and won the PGA Championship. So wouldn't put it past him," Bodenhamer said, via aforementioned source.

Next year’s US Open will be held at Shinnecock Hills. Phil Mickelson is set to tee off this Thursday at 8:02 a.m. alongside Cameron Smith and Brian Harman.