MICKELSON EXCITED FOR OGLETREE’S DEBUT AT MAYAKOBA

LIV Golf Mayakoba Preview: There is always plenty of optimism in the offseason, even if a team is coming off disappointment. There are positive talking points and predictions, but they are often farfetched. Not so with HyFlyers Golf Club. The chances for massive improvement in 2024 are more likely to happen than not, and it’s due to an infusion of proven talent and more focus from the returners.

Captain Phil Mickelson made what might be viewed as the best offseason move by year’s end. With team member James Piot being relegated after a rough 2023 season, Mickelson had a spot to fill on his roster. He communicated with teammates Brendan Steele and Cameron Tringale, and it was unanimous that they wanted Andy Ogletree. Considering Ogletree’s recent success, expect the addition to pay off sooner rather than later.

Ogletree, the 2019 U.S. Amateur champion, has three professional victories and earned an automatic spot in the LIV Golf League after finishing first in the International Series standings in 2023. He showed signs of how much he can impact a team when he played as a substitute for Majesticks Golf Club at LIV Golf Tulsa, where he shot a final-round 62.

“I think the 2024 season is going to be an amazing year for our HyFlyers, because the addition of Andy Ogletree brings a lot to the table,” Mickelson said. “The guy's a tough competitor, plays with a lot of passion, and has an incredible game. I think he's going to win major championships in his career, and I think he's going to have a high-level career.”

For HyFlyers GC to make a jump in 2024, it will need its stalwarts to continue their stellar play. Tringale and Steele finished in the top 19 of the individual standings, and their reliability should pair perfectly with Ogletree, who can be a No. 1 player. Tringale is poised to claim a victory after five top 10-finishes one year ago, and Steele has proven to start fast. He finished fifth and third, respectively, in the first two events last season.

As for Mickelson, he said he is expecting more of himself. After two years of helping lead the way for LIV Golf, being the face of the forward-thinking league and focusing on how to grow the HyFlyers GC brand on all levels, his on-course focus has understandably wavered a bit. But Mickelson said that won’t be the case in 2024.

“Now that things are starting to settle, a lot of that responsibility that I have felt – or obligation that I have felt to create this positive change in the game – is diminishing for me,” Mickelson said. “I’m able to focus on golf more. I have a lot less stress, a lot less anxiety.”

And a lot more confidence entering this week at LIV Golf Mayakoba. Mickelson tied for 27th here last season, and Steele (T5) and Tringale (T20) were strong. Now with Ogletree sporting the HyFlyers GC logo, Mayakoba might be a glimpse of things to come for a team that has upgraded.