At the age of 50 years, 11 months, and 7 days, Phil Mickelson secured the 2021 PGA Championship to become the oldest major winner in golf history. A lifelong professional, he transitioned from a decorated amateur career to a career featuring 45 PGA Tour victories and a defining legacy as a left-handed player in a sport traditionally dominated by right-handed swings.
Early Development and Amateur Success
Born in 1970 in San Diego, Philip Alfred Mickelson learned the game by mirroring his right-handed father, Philip Mickelson Sr. This early adaptation established his signature left-handed style. While attending Arizona State University on a golf scholarship, he achieved 16 tournament wins and claimed three NCAA individual championships. He remains the first left-handed golfer to win the U.S. Amateur title, a victory he achieved in 1990.
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Mickelson turned professional in 1992 after graduating from Arizona State University. His early professional years were marked by consistent success, including multiple victories at the Byron Nelson Golf Classic and the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. In 2004, he captured his first major championship at the Masters. He followed this with a PGA Championship victory in 2005, a second Masters title in 2006, a third in 2010, and an Open Championship win in 2013.
Transitions and Career Milestones
Throughout his career, Mickelson demonstrated longevity, remaining in the top 50 of the Official World Golf Ranking for over 25 consecutive years. In 2012, he was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame. By 2022, he departed from the PGA Tour after three decades of membership to participate in the LIV Golf League. Despite his prolific record, he never won the U.S. Open, finishing as the runner-up a record six times.
Fast facts
- Born: 1970, San Diego
- Professional nickname: Lefty
- College: Arizona State University
- Major championship titles: 6
- World Golf Hall of Fame induction: 2012
- Professional debut: 1992
Questions readers ask
Why does Phil Mickelson play left-handed?
Although naturally right-handed, he learned the game by mirroring the swing of his right-handed father during his childhood.
How many majors has Phil Mickelson won?
He has won six major championships: three Masters, two PGA Championships, and one Open Championship.
