Phil Mickelson says he doesn’t feel qualified to be the Republican nominee in 2028, calling his own political views “extreme.” The six-time major winner, who has never held public office but often shares his opinions on politics, was recently suggested by a social media user to run for president.

The conversation started after Mickelson reacted to a viral video on X showing a military veteran in Georgia who shot and killed three teenagers after they broke into his home. Authorities ruled the shooting self-defense under Georgia’s stand-your-ground laws even though the veteran was initially charged with murder.

Mickelson defended the homeowner on X, writing:

“It’s 💯 self defense I’m glad he wasn’t charged. The law needs to protect law abiding citizens and not the robbers and thieves. This is the perfect example of self defense and the assailants family acting like the victim🤦‍♂️ maybe STOP BREAKING THE LAW”

Following Mickelson’s comment a user suggested he be drafted as the Republican nominee in 2028, citing his strong law-and-order stance. Mickelson, however said he isn’t looking for a political role adding:

“I don’t feel qualified for politics and my views can be extreme before leveling out in the middle. Meaning I would give every citizen the right to protect themselves, their property, their business, and others by any means necessary. If the DA were to charge anyone for doing so, I’d immediately pardon them. This is too extreme for CA and the country but I feel extremes are necessary in order to balance things out.”

Here’s what Phil Mickelson wrote in the post below:

Though currently away from competitive golf, Mickelson continues to share his views on trending US issues. He has also been a vocal critic of California Governor Gavin Newsom often calling out policies he disagrees with on social media.

Phil Mickelson criticizes Gavin Newsom

Phil Mickelson called out California Governor Gavin Newsom over a viral video where the governor criticized former President Donald Trump. In the clip shared by X user Kevin Dalton, Newsom said he was “proud, but very mindful and sober of the moment we are living in” and added that Trump “does not believe in fair and free elections. Period. Full stop.”

Mickelson quote-tweeted the post, pointing out what frustrates him most about Newsom’s statement. He wrote:

“Out of all delirious things he says, why does ‘period. Full stop’ bother me more than all of it ?”

The 55-year-old has also criticized Newsom’s energy policies, accusing him of driving up costs for Californians and prioritizing foreign tankers from Russia and China over local refineries like Sable and Valero Benicia.

While Phil Mickelson hasn’t played competitive golf since August 2025 at LIV Golf Michigan, he remains active on social media, sharing his political opinions. He is expected to return to competition when the LIV season resumes in 2026.