When one racks up a certain number of wins and snags some of the most coveted titles, they definitely wish their name finds its way to the top of the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR). But, as we know, not everyone gets to claim that #1 spot. And one name that often comes up in this context is Phil Mickelson.

Even with 45 victories on the PGA Tour and six major championships, Mickelson never hit that top position. Much of that can be credited to the sheer dominance of his rival, Tiger Woods. The 82X PGA Tour winner held the top spot an incredible 11 times and racked up a staggering 683 weeks as the World No. 1!

Talking about Woods and Mickelson’s rivalry, the hot topic evoked sparks again. Mickelson appeared in a podcast with Bryan Bros Golf released on December 31st. In this episode, they showcased a stroke play match between Phil Mickelson and Wesley Bryan, a PGA Tour pro who lost his 2025 Tour card.

As the two teed off, Mickelson was losing to Bryan, who couldn’t resist making a jab as they walked to their golf carts. “You know what? Being in the presence of a legend and listening to him whine about losing to a YouTuber is… those are the moments I live for, Phil,” he said, lightheartedly.

Mickelson, ever humble, didn’t bite back right away, and Bryan attempted to soften his jibe by adding, “I did say something nice about you that you didn’t hear. I called you the second-greatest golfer to ever walk the planet.” That made the 54-year-old crack a smile, and he replied, “Nah, it was a lot of years ago, but nonetheless.”

Now, it’s no secret that Bryan was trying to poke Mickelson by calling him the second best. His rivalry with Woods is a known tale. One could argue that Woods’s sheer dominance overshadowed Mickelson’s achievements. So, when Wesley Bryan asked Phil, “Where do you have yourself on the all-time golfer list?” you could feel the tension shift. Mickelson, clearly not wanting to entertain that line of questioning, swiftly moved to his golf cart. Ignoring Bryan’s question, Lefty said, “I’m not going to fall for that.” And then, a little louder, he added, “Not gonna fall for that one. Being baited!”

via Getty

Bryan was caught off guard and quickly defended himself, insisting he was just asking for Mickelson’s opinion and not trying to bait him. Now, before you start scratching your head and understanding the context behind their awkward conversation, let us make it easier for you!

Why did Phil Mickelson get ignited at Bryan’s question?

Phil Mickelson sparked with intensity when asked about his ranking, and it’s no surprise given the long-standing rivalry between him and Tiger Woods. This rivalry stretches back to Woods’s incredible reign on the greens and when he dominated the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) for a straight 683 weeks. During that time, it felt like no one could keep up with the pace Woods set.

But then there was Phil Mickelson, who dared to defy Woods more than most. Amidst the ferocity of the Tiger Woods era, Mickelson managed to snag six major championships. Known for his fierce competitive spirit, Mickelson wasn’t Woods’s favorite player. Their rivalry only fueled Woods’s desire to win every tournament he entered. It’s worth noting that Phil Mickelson spent 775 weeks in the top 10—an impressive record, only topped by Woods (906 weeks) and Ernie Els (788 weeks). Yet, despite all this, Mickelson never claimed the coveted world No. 1 spot.

So, when Wesley Bryan brought up Mickelson’s ranking, it was clear that Mickelson had a hunch that the conversation might lead to his rival—something he’d prefer to sidestep. The tension between these two legends lingers on, even if they aren’t battling it out on the course any longer.