Mickelson parts ways with long-time coach Harmon

There’s no hard feelings, we’re told, but US ‘big gun’ Phil Mickelson has parted ways with his long-time coach Butch Harmon.

In a continuous search for new ideas and a late bid to improve his form, Mickelson has turned to 41-year-old Andrew Getson, from the Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona as his new swing coach.

Phil Mickelson (Credit: Callaway Golf)

To his eternal credit, Mickelson flew to Las Vegas and told Harmon in person that he wanted to try someone new.

Harmon also saw it coming. He did, after all, take Greg Norman and Tiger Woods to the top of the world rankings before being moved on.

Yet Mickelson suggested the pair would remain friends.

“Butch is one of the great teachers in the history of the game, and I believe he deserves to be in the World Golf Hall of Fame,” said the five-time major champion.

At 45, Mickelson obviously felt it was now or never if he was ever going to get his ‘A’ game back and again contend in majors with the young lions like Rory McIlroy, Jason Day and Jordan Spieth now dominating.

Mickelson released a statement suggesting he learned a lot in his eight years with Harmon.

“It’s just that at the moment I need to hear new ideas from a different perspective,” he said.

Certainly ‘Lefty’ has struggled for the past couple of years and the $2.15m he earned in 2015 was actually his poorest return since 2003.

Harmon rated with the British Open in 2013 with Mickelson as one of the pinnacles of his career.

“I see nothing wrong with him seeking advice from another source,” said Harmon.

“We’re great friends and we always will be. He’s been frustrated the last two years. I thought it was a good idea that he would do this.”

“He needs to hear things differently that maybe get him rejuvenated and get him back to what we all know he can be. He [Mickelson] did it in a classy way.”

Mickelson did say he would not rule out working with Harmon again sometime in the future.