When a player becomes well-established and successful in the golf world, it makes sense that golf fans will be curious about everything they do, from how they play on the course to what they wear.
One famous golfer who has sparked intrigue and even controversy in the last couple of years is golfing legend Phil Mickelson. Since the summer of 2021, there have been two instances that left confused fans asking, ‘what is Phil Mickelson wearing on his hand?’
If you, too, have been baffled by Phil Mickelson’s left hand over the past couple of years, you’re not alone, and if you’re seeking answers, you’re in the right place.
Today, we’ll be sharing all the information we have gathered about what’s been going on with Phil Mickelson’s hand.
Who Is Phil Mickelson?
First of all, if you’re very new to the golfing world (welcome!), you might not be familiar with Phil Mickelson.
Phil Mickelson, who also goes by the nickname Lefty, is an American golf player who has played golf on a national level since 1986. Mickelson was the fourth ever amateur golf player to win the PGA tournament.
Mickelson’s career in professional golf began in 1993, and by 1996, he was ranked 7th in the world.
In 2004, Mickelson won the Masters and went on to win the 2005 PGA championship, too.
Recently, Phil Mickelson was involved in a legal controversy due to his support of LIV Golf, resulting in him being banned from PGA tournaments in 2022.
However, this isn’t the only thing Phil Mickelson fans have been talking about this year, so let’s get onto the real question of what’s been happening with Mickelson’s left hand since 2021.
Phil Mickelson’s Bandaged Hand (2021)
Phil Mickelson earned the nickname Lefty for using the left-handed stroke in golf despite being naturally right-handed.
Therefore, it’s understandable that when Mickelson posted a video to his Instagram in June of 2021 sporting a bandage on his left hand, fans were concerned.
No official statement has ever been made by Mickelson or his representatives confirming what happened to his hand, but there have been a few theories as to what led to the need for a bandage.
In 2010, Mickelson was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis, and fans have speculated that this diagnosis may be behind the bandage on his left hand. At this point, an arthritic flare-up seems like the most likely cause since no injuries or accidents were ever reported or connected with the bandage.
Regardless of why Mickelson was wearing the bandage on his hand, it doesn’t seem to have impacted his ability to play golf, which was a relief for fans everywhere. Mickelson played in The Match 4 Charity shortly after he was seen with the bandage, and has since continued to play in golfing events.
Phil Mickelson’s Henna Tattoo (2022)
While most fans were concerned to see Phil Mickelson wearing a bandage on his left hand in 2021, his left hand made headlines again in 2022, and this time, commentators were more confused than alarmed.
This year, fans noticed that Mickelson was sporting a new tattoo on his left hand, which was of his own logo. The logo, for context, is a silhouette of himself after winning the Masters in 2004. In the logo, Mickelson has his hands raised in the air in celebration.
One thing fans immediately noticed is that while the silhouette is recognizable as Mickelson’s logo, it’s missing some crucial detailing – namely, the golf club that is in the silhouette’s hand in the official logo. The tattoo omits the golf club, which makes it more ambiguous.
A lot of fans were shocked that Mickelson would get a tattoo of his own logo in the first place, while others were simply critical of the artwork itself.
Mickelson confirmed in a recent interview, however, that it is not a permanent tattoo. It is a henna tattoo, which means that it is temporary and will eventually fade. Mickelson also admitted that the tattoo did not turn out the way he initially anticipated, joking that it didn’t look much like the logo it was meant to represent.
Mickelson told interviewers that he got the henna tattoo done at a dinner he attended as a spur-of-the-moment decision, and that he ultimately regretted having the logo (albeit temporarily) inked on his skin.
Given that henna tattoos only last a few days at most, the tattoo is gone as of the writing of this article, but that hasn’t stopped confused fans from continuing to ask what was on Mickelson’s hand during the Jeddah tournament.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Phil Mickelson’s Dominant Hand?
Phil Mickelson is right-handed, but he uses a left-handed swing in golf because that is how he was taught by his father as a child. This explains why Mickelson can be seen using his right hand in other situations.
Does Phil Mickelson Have A Tattoo On His Hand?
Phil Mickelson does not have a tattoo on his hand. He was seen with a temporary henna of his logo in 2022, but this was not a permanent tattoo and recent images of the golfer confirm that it is no longer there.
Does Phil Mickelson Have Arthritis?
Phil Mickelson was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis in 2010. This condition is the result of another condition called psoriasis. Both are long-term conditions, and it is speculated that arthritis is the reason Mickelon wore a bandage on his left hand in 2021.
Final Thoughts
Phil Mickelson’s famous left hand made the news twice in 2021 and 2022. The first time, he wore a bandage on his hand, possibly due to an arthritic flare-up.
In 2022, fans were talking about his hand again due to the appearance of a henna tattoo meant to represent Mickelson’s logo. However, since henna tattoos are not permanent, the tattoo has since faded and it seems that Mickelson’s hand has returned to normal.
Mickelson is confirmed to be playing the LIV Golf Team Championship on October 28th at Trump International in Miami.
Hi, my name is Garratt Shmidt and I have been playing golf in my spare time for almost a decade.
Before I found a passion for golf, I didn’t see the appeal. I thought it was slow, repetitive, and quite frankly boring.
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