Phil Mickelson to win first LIV event?! "The game is starting to feel easy"

Phil Mickelson will duke it out with Cameron Smith in the final group at LIV Golf's event in Bedminster at Trump National Golf Club, New Jersey.

Ben Smith

13 Aug 2023

Cameron Smith is set to duke it out with Phil Mickelson in the final round of LIV Golf's event in Bedminster.

Smith will take a four-shot lead into the final round at Trump National Golf Course in New Jersey.

The Aussie is looking for his second LIV Golf win of the 2023 campaign, having tasted success at Centurion Club just outside of London before the 151st Open.

Smith carded a second round of 4-under 67 to reach 9-under par after 36 holes.

He recovered from an early double bogey at the third hole and fired a further seven birdies, dropping another stroke at the par-3 14th.

Mickelson, who has been making headlines over his alleged gambling debts, sits in T-2 at 5-under alongside South Africa's Dean Burmester.

Lefty has released a statement about the claims he was wagered $1bn gambling over three decades.

And he saw the funny side of this chirp from a fan in Bedminster. Mickelson fired five birdies in his second round of 67.

He is yet to record a victory since bolting to the breakaway tour and this is the first time he will play in a final group in a LIV event.

Elsewhere, Anirban Lahiri, Bubba Watson, Patrick Reed and Branden Grace occupy positions within the top-10.

A host of players are sitting on T-8 at 2-under. They include Jason Kokrak, Marc Leishman, Kevin Na, Abraham Ancer and Carlos Ortiz.

In the team element, Stinger and Ripper are T-1 at 11-under, leading Watson's RangeGoats by four.

Mickelson said he will be nervous in the final round, adding:

"I haven't won since the PGA in '21, so it's been a couple years, and I would love getting back into that feeling of having a chance to win and having each shot bring that pressure about.

"Sure, I'll feel it. That's why we still want to play or I still want to play because I love that challenge of trying to compete and trying to do that, and I still get nervous every time I have a chance."

Scroll down...

Vintage Phil Mickelson! #LIVGolf pic.twitter.com/tEhUBAMKX9
— LIV Golf (@livgolf_league) August 12, 2023

Lefty defied age once again at the 2023 Masters with a superb final round at Augusta National to finish T-2 with fellow LIV pro Brooks Koepka.

Mickelson was asked why things have come to fruition this week.

"It's the little things. It's the little shots that I've been kind of -- I used to not throw away around the greens. My short game is starting to come around. I'm starting to save some shots to keep the round going. I'm starting to drive the ball quite a bit straighter and in play.

"The game is getting easier, but you have to put it all together to score. I've hit a lot of good iron shots, too, and have had a lot of good opportunities to make some putts and birdies.

"The game is starting to feel easy again."

Mickelson will be roared on by a boisterous New Jersey crowd.

Smith said of the showdown with Mickelson: "Yeah, I don't mind a rowdy crowd. I actually quite enjoy it.

"I think it's nice down the fairway, but once you're over the ball and you're trying to hit your shot, it's always just about committing to your shot and doing what you have to do to get it in there tight and keep making birdies."

Watched our latest YouTube video?