Former PGA Tour legend and current LIV Golf competitor Phil Mickelson has undergone a drastic body transformation in recent months, which has some fans concerned about his health after a viral photo emerged of him on Tuesday.
Mickelson revealed to Sports Illustrated on Monday that he has lost over 20 pounds ahead of his return to LIV for the upcoming 2023 Saudi International set to begin on Thursday.
“I’m down to my college weight. I’m stronger than I’ve probably been in my career. I lost 20-plus pounds. I’m flexible, recovering faster, ready to go,” said Mickelson via Bob Harig of Sports Illustrated.
Dan Rapaport of Barstool Sports posted a photo of Mickelson on Twitter during a press conference ahead of the Saudi International, adding that he “looks like an entirely different person”.
Legitimately gasped upon seeing this picture of Phil Mickelson from Saudi. Looks like an entirely different person! Said he’s down to his college weight. (Getty Images) pic.twitter.com/KKbNJMjCql
— Dan Rapaport (@Daniel_Rapaport) January 31, 2023
However, some fans do not see this weight loss as a positive thing and are concerned about Mickelson’s health and drastically different appearance.
Is it just me or is he morphing into Greg Norman
— Mitchell Schwartz (@MitchSchwartz71) January 31, 2023
Looking like Rick Scott
— Cass Anderson (@casspa) January 31, 2023
Not a huge fan of golfers losing a bunch of weight….the idea is to get strong….explosive…etc etc…mass helps…we ain't running marathons…..
— Jason Hiland (@golfsub70) February 1, 2023
Jesus he doesnt look too well
— Harry Ewing (@harrropro) January 31, 2023
I sure hope that’s a healthy weight loss. Phil has definitely looked better. Hope he’s all good.
— M. Byson (@iamthebyson) January 31, 2023
Mickelson famously received a ton of criticism for his decision to leave the PGA Tour in favor of LIV Golf, which impacted his performance in LIV tournaments last year. He detailed to Sports Illustrated that he hopes to put that behind him in 2023.
“I haven’t dwelled on it. A lot of things transpired that led to me not playing well. It’s different now. Three months off was game-changing. I maybe needed the time to rejuvenate and regenerate.”
Mickelson has not competed since the Trump National Doral in Miami back in October, so it should be interesting to see how his extreme body transformation impacts his game this weekend in his return to LIV Golf.
[Sports Illustrated, Dan Rapaport on Twitter]
