Phil Mickelson’s HyFlyers were in contention to win their very first LIV Golf title in Adelaide however they fell short in Sunday’s final round and were forced to settle for third.
Phil Mickelson’s quest for a win on the LIV Golf circuit persisted on Sunday, with his HyFlyers falling short of the team championship and settling for third place in Adelaide.
Heading into the last round, Mickelson’s team had a chance to win their first LIV title, trailing Torque GC by just one shot. However, the all-American squad couldn’t capitalize on Sunday, ending up in third place behind the Stingers and Ripper GC.
Ripper and Stingers made history in the LIV series by competing in the first team playoff, with Ripper emerging victorious thanks to Cam Smith and Marc Leishman defeating Louis Oosthuizen and Dean Burmester.
The HyFlyers had to accept third place, ending five shots behind the top two teams. As for Mickelson, he missed another chance to win, remaining without a victory on the new circuit after switching from the PGA Tour almost two years ago.
The HyFlyers received some positive news when Brendan Steele, Mickelson’s teammate, secured his first LIV win by claiming the individual title in Adelaide. Steele, an American, maintained a one-shot lead going into the final 18 holes on Sunday and showcased his skills by shooting a four-under-par 68 to secure victory by one shot over Oosthuizen.
Following the win, Steele expressed his gratitude towards his captain Mickelson, acknowledging the significant role he played in helping him achieve success in Australia. “I heavily rely on Phil for guidance in various aspects,” Steele stated. “From strategies on hitting shots around the green to overall approach, Phil has been instrumental in my performance.”
He is truly exceptional on the field, and his guidance is invaluable to me. Whenever he offers advice, I make sure to absorb it. I am eager to heed his words, as he has greatly improved my skills in wedge play, short game, and mental strength. His encouragement has boosted my confidence, and I owe a lot of my success to him.
The Australian spectators flocked to The Grange to witness the LIV event this week, as a wave of supporters descended down the 18th hole on Sunday to observe Steele’s victorious moment. Despite acknowledging that the large crowd heightened his nerves, his collaboration with Mickelson during the offseason proved to be instrumental in his success.
“I was quite anxious about that wedge shot,” he remarked. Honestly, because it’s such a challenging shot. I had to clear the tier without landing in the back bunker. With 10,000 fans in the fairway right beside me, it was quite intense. Thankfully, the hard work I invested during the offseason with Phil in his practice area, and the guidance he provided, truly paid off, especially with that particular shot.”
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