To say Phil Mickelson has struggled in LIV Golf since leaving the PGA Tour to join the Saudi-backed series in 2022 would be a massive understatement.
For starters, not only had his HyFlyers GC squad never won the team portion of a tournament coming into this week's event in Hong Kong, it had never finished in the top three. Even when Brendan Steele took the individual title in Adelaide a season ago, HyFlyers couldn't make the podium.
The same goes for Mickelson from an individual standpoint. Not only had he never finished in the top three, the six-time major champion had recorded just three top-10 finishes in his first three LIV seasons.
He finished eighth at the Chicago event at Rich Harvest Farms in 2022, tied for ninth at Trump National Bedminster in 2023, and then tied for sixth in Jeddah in 2024. That's it.
At long last, however, the futility streak has come to an end, as both Mickelson and his team made the podium in Hong Kong on Sunday.
Phil Mickelson finished third at LIV Golf Hong Kong, helping his HyFlyers tie for third in the team event
Phil Mickelson birdied the last to come solo 3rd at LIV Golf Hong Kong.
— Flushing It (@flushingitgolf) March 9, 2025
“I’ve got to find another way to beat these guys because I’m not gonna overpower them. So I hit a lot of fairways this week to let my iron play come out.”
He certainly did that 👍pic.twitter.com/g2kvPGvOfz
After opening his week with rounds of 67 and 65 on the par-70 layout at Hong Kong Golf Club at Fanling, Mickelson again went low on Sunday, firing a 6-under 64 to get to 14-under for the week.
It wasn't quite enough to take his first title, but Lefty still earned his first trip to the podium with a third-place finish, ending the day one shot back of Dean Burmester, who shot a brilliant 8-under 62, and four behind winner Sergio Garcia, who finished at 18-under with a final-round 63.
While he didn't get the victory, Mickelson was very pleased with his play.
“The fact is, I’m hitting a lot of good shots. I’m playing some good golf,” the 54-year-old said afterward. “This is a building week as I continue to build into LIV and my goal of accomplishing a win in LIV as well as winning another major or getting ready for Augusta.”
With a combined total of 34-under, Mickelson's HyFlyers GC, which also includes Steele, Andy Ogletree, and Cameron Tringale, made its first podium, tying for third with Cameron Smith's Ripper GC.
Burmester and Stinger GC took second at 36-under, while Garcia's Fireballs GC took its second consecutive team title at 37-under.
The 2025 LIV Golf season continues this Friday at Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore.