SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 08: Phil Mickelson of the United States waves to fans outside a fence near the 12th hole during the third round of the 2020 PGA Championship at TPC Harding Park on August 08, 2020 in San Francisco, California.

Mickelson receives rave reviews for TV broadcast debut

6 years ago

Ezra Shaw / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Phil Mickelson will not be out of work for long once he's done playing competitive golf.

The 50-year-old jumped in the booth with Jim Nantz and Nick Faldo for a portion of the PGA Championship's Round 3 broadcast and flourished as a color commentator.

Mickelson provided unique insight, analysis, and of course, plenty of one-liners, benefitting from having played TPC Harding Park earlier in the day.

Social media heaped plenty of praise on Lefty.

Phil Mickelson is as good talking about golf as anyone is talking about anything. #PGAChampionship
— Mike Greenberg (@Espngreeny) August 8, 2020

If Phil isn't permanently in the booth someday what are we even doing here?
— Brian Wacker (@brianwacker1) August 8, 2020

We're all freaking out about how good Phil is in the booth (rightfully so), but why?

1. Insight. Little nuggets to help you get to know players.

2. Personalty. Who'd have thought people like that?

3. Subjectivity. Open and honest about which players he wants to play well.
— LKD (@LukeKerrDineen) August 8, 2020

Comparisons to Tony Romo, who transition seamlessly from the NFL into a broadcast role, also poured in.

Jim Nantz has found his golf version of Tony Romo in @PhilMickelson dropping bombs on #PGAChampionship coverage Loving this!
— Chris Harrison (@chrisbharrison) August 8, 2020

If Phil is Tony Romo, does that make Faldo... Phil Simms?
— No Laying Up (@NoLayingUp) August 8, 2020

People began to worry about Faldo's job security.

Phil and Faldo in the booth together is like one of those heartbreaking stories you hear about workers getting laid off after training their replacements.
— Will Bardwell (@willbardwell) August 8, 2020

It’s so strange to have a multi major winner in the CBS booth providing insights normal golfers wouldn’t notice.
— Andy Johnson 🍳 (@the_woke_yolk) August 8, 2020

Mickelson didn't hold back from taking a jab at Faldo, either.

Faldo: "You should shorten your swing. It's way too long."

Phil: "Then I'd hit it like you." pic.twitter.com/TiPqMYwqK0
— No Laying Up (@NoLayingUp) August 8, 2020

One day, Mickelson might be getting paid a hefty sum to talk about golf.