Phil Mickelson: British Open Implosion Proves Lefty Must Change Style

Phil Mickelson is a lot of things on the golf course. He is charismatic, friendly, at times great—but lately he is just plain disappointing. His collapse in the second round at the Open Championship—which included an eight-over par 78 in the second round—must be the straw that brings about a change in the way he plays. 

A season that started with such promise has turned into a disaster for Mickelson. He started the year winning the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in February, but things have gone downhill for him since that day. 

Since May, Mickelson has finished 25th or worse in six of seven events—including missing the cut at the Greenbrier Classic and British Open, and withdrawing from the Memorial Tournament. 

Yet despite all of the problems that have been on display, Mickelson's arrogance and ego won't allow him to figure out what he is doing wrong. Everyone knows the way that he plays—with a reckless abandon, particularly off the tee. It is that quality that has endeared him to the fans, but it is also ruining his career. 

Mickelson has to realize that he is 42 years old, and the things he was doing five years ago just will not work anymore. He is no longer capable of hitting the ball long and keeping it in the middle of the fairway. 

Instead of trying to play through his struggles by doing something that is so clearly not working anymore, Mickelson needs to adapt to the times and skills he does have. 

Being able to hit the ball far is a good thing, but if you have no idea where it is going, it is best to evaluate exactly where your career is at and where you want it to go. 

Mickelson has always had an ego, so any change he makes is an admittance of failure. It takes a bold man to do that. Some are more capable than others—with Mickelson struggling to come to grips with reality. 

It is sad to see what has become of this immensely talented golfer. He has battled physical problems that won't go away, so his only solution is to figure out what will work and what no longer works. 

Mickelson's failure at the Open Championship should be the biggest wake-up call for him. His stock is tumbling down, and unless he figures out what to do, everything will fall apart. 

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