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Earlier this month, Phil Mickelson stunned the golf world by declaring that the U.S. Open played June 12–15 at Oakmont would “very possibly” be his last U.S. Open, as his five‑year exemption earned by winning the 2021 PGA Championship expires this year.
The six‑time major champion, who turned 55 in mid‑June, hinted that a future return would depend on special exemption, qualifying, or leading the LIV Golf standings (currently 15th).
However, during his press conference at LIV Golf Dallas on Thursday, Mickelson seemingly walked back that sentiment.
“I said it’s very possibly my last, and I think that’s real. However, I also feel like I’m starting to play some good golf," He said when asked about a possible return at Shinnecock.
"This year has been my best year on LIV. I’ve had three top‑6 finishes... If I play like that in some upcoming major championships, that could ultimately qualify me into another U.S. Open.”
He believes his performance in the other three majors could earn him entry to Shinnecock Hills in 2026.
“I don’t want to say it’s my last. I actually think I’m playing well enough that... if I can play at the level I’ve played at out here in majors again, I’ll finish high enough to get into a U.S. Open via that qualifying avenue.”
⛳️ #NEW: Phil Mickelson says he ‘expects’ to contend in future majors, casting doubts on the fact that he may have played his final U.S. Open.
— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) June 26, 2025
“I don't want to say it's my last. I actually think I'm playing well enough that if I can play at the level I've played at out here… pic.twitter.com/xK2tIlFEnh
Mickelson, who has never won the U.S. Open but has finished runner‑up six times, missed the cut at Oakmont by one stroke, finishing six over par. He will tee off for the first round of the Dallas event on Friday.
Despite speculation that Oakmont would mark his final U.S. Open, Mickelson’s tone has shifted. His remarks in Dallas underscore a renewed optimism, suggesting this chapter in his storied career may not be over, after all.
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Maple Leafs Want to Trade Recently Signed Forward
The Toronto Maple Leafs reached an agreement on a contract extension with 23-year-old forward Nick Robertson, avoiding an arbitration case. Robertson signed a one-year deal with the Maple Leafs, earning him $1.825 million against the salary cap. While Robertson signed an extension with the Maple Leafs, it’s not likely he sticks around in Toronto for too much longer. According to Elliotte Friedman on the 32 Thought Podcast, the Maple Leafs have more players on their roster than they’d like and Robertson is the low hanging fruit in the lineup. “The Maple Leafs have to clear some bodies there,” Friedman said. “There’s a lot of them” Robertson has been connected to teams like the Pittsburgh Penguins and Columbus Blue Jackets, but it’ll be up to the Maple Leafs to decide if/where they want to send him. “I definitely think the Maple Leafs have work to do here,” I don’t know what their timeline is, but nobody expects them not to do things before puck drops, that’s for sure.” For a number of years, Robertson was one of the top prospects in the Maple Leafs system but hasn’t been able to find regular time in the NHL lineup. Whether through his own development as a professional hockey player or the Maple Leafs not having room in the lineup, Robertson hasn’t seen much NHL time in his career. Robertson appeared in a career-high 69 games during the 2024-25 season, recording 15 goals and seven assists for 22 total points. Usually relegated to the bottom six of the Maple Leafs’ lineup, Robertson has played in 156 career games with 32 goals and 24 assists for 56 points. Originally a second-round pick (53rd overall) of the Maple Leafs in 2019, Robertson’s time in Toronto might be coming to an end soon. Getting a new contract signed, even for a year, takes away another hurdle to cross for interested teams.
Kevin Love reportedly has preferred buyout destination
Kevin Love is eyeing a return to his roots. The five-time NBA All-Star big man Love has a preferred destination on the buyout market, Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints reported on Tuesday. Love would like to end up in Los Angeles. Now 36 years old, Love spent the last two-and-a-half seasons with the Miami Heat. He averaged just 5.3 points and 4.1 rebounds over 10.9 minutes per game in 2024-25 but still managed to shoot 35.8 percent from three on the year. Earlier this summer however, the Heat traded Love to the Utah Jazz as part of a three-team blockbuster deal. Now Love, a 17-year NBA veteran, is pursuing a contract buyout from the rebuilding Jazz. Though he is a native of Lake Oswego, Oregon, Love played his college ball in Los Angeles at UCLA. He also has ties to both L.A. teams — he won an NBA championship with Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James on the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016 and was also coached on that team by Tyronn Lue, who is now head coach of the L.A. Clippers. Both the Lakers and Clippers are currently sitting at 14 guaranteed contracts each. While they still have spots for two-way and Exhibit 10 players, that means the Lakers and Clippers are both down to their final open roster spot. The ex-rebounding leader Love still has some value, though probably more so as a jokester than as a contributing rotation piece. While Love clearly wants a homecoming to Los Angeles, he may have some convincing to do for either the Lakers or the Clippers to give him that final open roster spot.
Green Bay Packers: 2 Notable Former Wide Receivers Labeled as Surprise Cut Candidates
As the Green Bay Packers deal with their own crowded wide receiver room, multiple former Packers pass-catchers are also embroiled in position battles across the league. Notably, two veterans that turned in many successful seasons in Green Bay now find themselves battling to make rosters and have been labeled as big names that could become surprise cuts when rosters are trimmed down. New York Jets May Soon Be Done With Former Green Bay Packers Receiver Allen Lazard Former Packers receiver Allen Lazard was always a favorite of Aaron Rodgers during their time together in Green Bay. When Rodgers left the franchise, Lazard ended up following the quarterback to the New York Jets. While the Rodgers era for Gang Green has gone up in flames, Lazard remains on the roster – for now. Lazard entered camp as the presumed second receiver behind Garrett Wilson, but so far, fellow veteran Josh Reynolds has seemingly beaten out Lazard for the second spot. A former Detroit Lion, Reynolds has reportedly been building a good rapport with new signal-caller Justin Fields, leaving Lazard potentially relegated to slot duties. Although the Jets have receiver depth problems, some experts don’t believe that Lazard will survive cuts. The Athletic’s Zack Rosenblatt has stated that he does not expect Lazard to be on the 53-man roster. Some names behind Lazard on the current depth chart include veteran Tyler Johnson and rookie Arian Smith, both of whom have had flashes of ability in camp so far. Several of the younger players also offer one thing that Lazard notably doesn’t – the ability to play on special teams. If Lazard is cut by the team, it would mean the team would have moved on from another former Packer after dumping both Rodgers and Davante Adams this summer. Can Former Green Bay Packers Receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling Stick in Seattle? Marquez Valdes-Scantling was a member of the Green Bay Packers from 2018 to 2021, playing out his rookie contract with the team while being a big part of the offense. He had over 2,000 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns for the green and gold before leaving for Kansas City in free agency. In 2025, Valdes-Scantling was with the New Orleans Saints until he signed a one-year deal with the Seattle Seahawks worth around $4 million. Despite the 29-year-old being a proven veteran and solid deep threat, Valdes-Scantling currently finds himself near the edge of the Seahawks roster. Rookie receiver Tory Horton has already surpassed Valdes-Scantling on the depth chart and has been the fourth receiver in the team’s first-team rotation so far. Valdes-Scantling has been relegated to the second unit in training camp practices as of early August. Respected NFL writer Brady Henderson has said that Valdes-Scantling has “barely made any” plays throughout camp so far, whereas Horton has continued to catch eyes and has been nicknamed “Jerry Rice Jr.” by teammate Tariq Woolen. Like Lazard, Valdes-Scantling does not offer much on special teams either, and although the Seahawks would love to have a deep threat to compliment Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Cooper Kupp, if Valdes-Scantling does not show up in camp, the team could move on from the former Green Bay Packer with little financial consequence.
Ex-Yankees Bust Clint Frazier Sends Clear Anthony Volpe Message
Hindsight is 20/20, and the New York Yankees may have a major regret regarding a player on track for his second 20-20 season in three years. Although shortstop Anthony Volpe has 17 home runs, 60 RBIs, 14 stolen bases, and a career-high .710 OPS, he also has a league-high 16 errors. The 24-year-old Volpe is striking out at a 23.8% clip and batting just .189 with runners in scoring position. Volpe went hitless with a walk in Monday’s 8-5 loss to the Texas Rangers, leading ex-Yankees outfielder Clint Frazier to suggest that Volpe is in a “tough spot.” "Everybody is so hyper focused on him at the moment and you gotta believe he’s fully aware of it because it’s impossible to not be,” Frazier wrote on X/Twitter. “That standing ovation might need to come here soon,” Frazier added. “It could help.” Frazier is referring to the idea that Yankees fans should give Volpe a standing ovation the way that Philadelphia Phillies fans did for Trea Turner two summers ago. Los Angeles Dodgers fans did something similar for struggling All-Star shortstop Mookie Betts on Monday night, though Betts went 0-for-4 in a 3-2 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals. Longtime Yankees pitcher David Cone made a similar proposal last week. The Yankees return home for a three-game set against the Houston Astros beginning Friday night. The 60-53 Yankees trail the first-place Toronto Blue Jays by 5 1/2 games at publication. Although the Yankees and Seattle Mariners are tied for the AL’s second Wild Card spot, they only have a 1 1/2 game lead over the Rangers.
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