“It’s Time for Him to Retire”: Phil Mickelson Takes a Swing at Tiger Woods with Coffee-Fueled Mockery
Phil Mickelson has never been one to shy away from a good jab, and his latest shot at Tiger Woods might just be his cheekiest yet. In a recent off-the-cuff moment that’s set the golf world abuzz, the LIV Golf star mocked his longtime rival with a bold claim: “I hit it farther than him and still have a cup of coffee in my hand—maybe Tiger should ride a golf cart to play golf!” Delivered with a smirk and a sip, Mickelson’s quip didn’t just flex his driving distance—it waved a red flag at Woods’ fading presence in the sport, reigniting their legendary rivalry with a fresh dose of humor and bravado.
The 53-year-old Mickelson dropped the bombshell during a casual chat with reporters ahead of a LIV Golf event, turning a routine press moment into headline gold. “It’s time for him to retire,” he declared, conjuring an image of himself bombing a drive down the fairway, coffee cup steady in one hand, while Woods trails behind. “If I can outhit him that easily, maybe he should just cruise around in a cart instead of playing!” The line, dripping with playful scorn, landed like a perfectly struck iron, sparking laughter and lighting up social media with reactions from fans and pundits alike.
This isn’t just random trash talk—Mickelson’s jab comes at a pivotal moment. Woods, now 49 and battling a body battered by years of injuries, has seen his competitive outings dwindle. His 2024 season was a shadow of his prime, with a missed cut at The Open Championship marking his latest struggle. Meanwhile, Mickelson, thriving in the laid-back LIV Golf scene, seems to relish every chance to remind the world he’s still got it. “Phil sipping coffee while outdriving Tiger is the energy we need in 2025,” one X user posted, capturing the vibe of Mickelson’s swaggering confidence.
Their rivalry, a cornerstone of golf for over two decades, has always thrived on these moments of one-upmanship. Back in 2003, Mickelson took a subtle dig at Woods’ Nike gear, boasting, “I can fly it past him now—he’s stuck with inferior equipment.” Woods fired back by dominating him on the course, like at the 2001 Masters, where a 30-yard gap off the tee left Mickelson eating dust. Fast forward to 2025, and Mickelson’s latest barb flips that script—less about hardware, more about hustle. The coffee cup isn’t just a prop; it’s a symbol of Mickelson’s relaxed dominance over a Woods who, in Phil’s eyes, might be past his sell-by date.
Woods hasn’t clapped back yet, but the silence only amplifies the sting. His last major win came in 2019 at Augusta, a comeback for the ages, but recent years have been more about rehab than trophies. Mickelson, by contrast, keeps swinging—literally and figuratively—on LIV’s lucrative greens. His “coffee in hand” line doubles as a flex of relevance: while Woods nurses injuries, Phil’s out there, caffeinated and crushing it. “Tiger should retire? Bold words from a guy who’s still chasing his shadow,” another X post mused, hinting at the divided loyalties this rivalry still stirs.
The golf cart twist adds an extra layer of shade. Woods famously used a cart during his 2022 PNC Championship return, a necessity born of his 2021 car crash recovery. Mickelson’s suggestion that Tiger “ride a golf cart to play golf” isn’t just a retirement nudge—it’s a callback to that vulnerability, wrapped in a chuckle. Yet, it’s not all venom. Their history shows a rivalry tempered by respect—think 2018’s “The Match,” where Mickelson’s pre-game taunts gave way to a hard-fought win, or their 2019 “Phireside” chat, where Phil joked about his rare victories over Woods with a wink.
For now, Mickelson holds the spotlight, his coffee-fueled mockery a viral moment that’s got fans dreaming of a Woods rebuttal. Will Tiger dust off his clubs for a comeback, or let Phil have this round? The 15-time major champ’s competitive spirit suggests he’s not done yet—but Mickelson’s not waiting around to find out. “I’m just having a blast out here,” he added, “but if I’m outdriving him with one hand tied up by a latte, it’s time for him to hang it up.”
This latest chapter in their saga proves their rivalry still has juice, even if it’s now brewed with a side of humor. Mickelson’s mock retirement call might be a jest, but it’s a loud one—challenging Woods to prove he’s still got the fight. As the golf world watches, coffee cups raised, one thing’s clear: Phil’s swinging for the fences, and Tiger’s legacy is once again in the crosshairs.
