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Phil Mickelson has detailed his sudden weight loss as he attempts to turn around his recent career slump.
In light of becoming one of the faces of the Saudi Arabia-backed LIV Golf series last year, Mickelson’s form on the course began to deteriorate.
With his often polarising opinions and new villain status within the sport, fans relished as the six-time major champion struggled across the season.
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However, it appears his decline has only driven his desire to return to the pinnacle of golf.
Fronting media at the Royal Greens Golf and Country Club on Monday ahead of the Saudi International, Mickelson debuted his slimmed-down physique to the world.
The 52-year-old later confirmed his intended weight loss, claiming he is the leanest he has been since he joined the PGA Tour 30 years ago.
“I have a whole different energy, whole different excitement,” he said.
“I’ve been rejuvenated. Best shape I’ve been in a long time. I’m back to my college weight. It allows me to recover faster after I play.”
Mickelson failed to give any specifics or figures – even when prodded by the assembled media.
“It’s my college weight,” he said.
“We don’t need to go to numbers, but I’m back to where I was when I turned pro. That’s the first time that’s happened.”
Mickelson reiterated that his newfound form reflected his figure, and as such, he believed he could win another major.
Speaking with Sports Illustrated, Mickelson also declared he was not bothered by the thought of possibly being shut out of all future PGA Tour events.
“If I were never to play another PGA Tour event, I’m totally at peace with it,” he said.
The six-time US Open runner-up said that while pending litigation against the PGA Tour may allow him to legally return to the series, he planned to “scale down” his number of competitions while prioritising majors.
“I’m motivated, but I don’t see the benefit to playing more,” he said.
“The tournaments where you are going to leave a mark are the majors. That creates a life memory. If I win another Tour event, who cares? It’s not like it’s going to do anything for how I look at my career.
“Another major would be a unique, special moment. That’s really where I want to thrive for. And sure, it would mean a lot to win some LIV events because of the role I’ve played as it’s been created.”
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