Phil Mickelson’s career reached a defining moment at Kiawah Island in May 2021. At 50 years, 11 months, and 7 days old, he lifted the PGA Championship trophy, becoming the oldest player to win a major championship. But just a year later, his career took a dramatic turn when he left the PGA Tour and joined LIV Golf.

Now, Mickelson’s place in golf history is back in the spotlight. On the podcast We Need a Fourth, Cooper Manning recently discussed Mickelson’s legacy with Brandel Chamblee, prompting Chamblee to consider how Mickelson’s influence could ultimately compare with that of Arnold Palmer. His comments offered a broader perspective on Mickelson’s career—not only as a major champion, but as a figure whose impact on the sport could extend well beyond his achievements on the course.

“I don’t know about forever. I mean, I think we live in a pretty forgiving world, Cooper. He’s obviously got his demons that he fights, and I wouldn’t wish them on anybody, but he’s not alone in fighting demons. I think if he hadn’t gone to LIV, everything in the world of golf, he would have been Arnold Palmer reincarnated. He would have been a Ryder Cup captain numerous times. He’d have been an honorary starter at Augusta. He would have been the lead analyst at CBS,” Chamblee said.

Chamblee’s claim is ultimately hypothetical and unproven, but the career numbers help explain why he reaches for Palmer’s name when discussing Mickelson’s legacy. Palmer finished his career with 62 PGA Tour victories and seven major championships, compared with Mickelson’s 45 Tour wins and six majors. Palmer won all seven of his majors between 1958 and 1964, while Mickelson won six over a 17-year span, from 2004 to 2021.

The Ryder Cup records provide another point of comparison. Mickelson played in a U.S.-record 12 Ryder Cups, compiling an 18-22-7 record, while Palmer made six appearances and went 22-8-2. Palmer also served as the U.S. team’s playing captain in 1963 and returned as captain in 1975, a leadership role that Mickelson has never held. Taken together, those numbers provide context for Chamblee’s comparison while also highlighting the different ways the two players shaped their careers and the sport.

Palmer’s resume also extends beyond his victories and major championships, with milestones that helped define his broader impact on golf. He was the first PGA Tour player to surpass $1 million in career earnings, and in 2007, he became the Masters’ honorary starter, a role that sees him hit the ceremonial opening tee shot.

Meanwhile, Mickelson’s case is based more on longevity and consistency at the highest level. He recorded 29 top-five finishes in major championships and holds the record for most runner-up finishes at the U.S. Open, with six. Those accomplishments add another dimension to the comparison, highlighting how Mickelson’s sustained presence in major championship contention has contributed to his place in golf history.

Chamblee’s praise comes from years of watching Mickelson up close. “I started doing commentary in 2004, so from 2004 till Phil left, I used to say Phil was a gift to the game of golf. His talent, his showmanship, his ‘look at me’ quality, it was incredible. What a talent. What an amazing talent.” 

Chamblee also remembered playing four rounds with Phil Mickelson at the BC Open. They even rode together to the range each day. During those trips, Mickelson argued that golf should focus on its biggest stars. He believed the Tour only needed around 20 to 30 players because fans mainly wanted to watch the top 10 or 15 players.

Chamblee joked that Mickelson never seemed to realize this idea could have meant losing Chamblee and his job. LIV events did not award Official World Golf Ranking points during its first four seasons. Mickelson’s runner-up finish at the 2023 Masters helped him move from No. 425 to No. 72 in the world rankings.

But his ranking soon dropped again. He missed the cut in five of his next eight majors and fell to No. 1,025 by April 2025, the lowest ranking of his career. His LIV results were also mixed. He finished 39th out of 52 players in the 2023 season standings and 46th out of 57 in 2024, with only one top-10 finish that year. He had a better start to 2025, finishing third in Hong Kong and sixth in Miami.

In 2026, Phil Mickelson stepped away from golf for a private family matter. He played only one LIV event, in South Africa in March, where he finished tied for 48th. He also missed all four majors for the first time in his professional career. LIV players only began receiving Official World Golf Ranking points for top-10 finishes in 2026, so Mickelson did not earn any points from his South Africa result.

Mickelson is not alone in facing the fallout. LIV filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in September after Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund withdrew its backing. LIV intends to resume play in 2027 under new ownership, subject to approvals. A PGA Tour executive told Golfweek’s Eamon Lynch that the odds of a current LIV player on the PGA Tour in 2027 are “remote.”

Jon Rahm, a two-time major winner, tied for second at this year’s PGA Championship and led LIV’s points and money lists. He still had to pay outstanding DP World Tour fines to secure Ryder Cup eligibility for 2027. Bryson DeChambeau, also a two-time major winner, has a contract that expires after 2026 and has not announced his plans. Bankruptcy documents list a $5,769,230.77 unsecured claim for DeChambeau and his company, BAD Enterprises, tied to his player agreement.

For Rahm and DeChambeau, the bigger issue is access, not their current form. Lynch said players returning to the PGA Tour may need to show some humility, give up their LIV equity and possibly make donations. He pointed to Brooks Koepka, who reportedly donated $5 million. Chamblee believes Mickelson could still find a way back. He said Mickelson would need to admit his mistakes, take responsibility for the damage he caused, and show that he wants to give something back to the game that has given him so much. Chamblee believes the golf world could then welcome him back.

That question of legacy becomes even more relevant as Mickelson’s career enters another period of uncertainty. He has not yet decided whether he will remain with LIV Golf in 2027, while LIV has also asked the bankruptcy court to terminate player contracts, including Mickelson’s. With his next move still unresolved, the final chapter of his career remains unwritten, and whatever path he chooses could play an important role in shaping his overall legacy.