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Phil Mickelson, 50, makes history with PGA Championship triumph
Lefty has made history.
Phil Mickelson hadn’t won a PGA Tour event since the 2019 Pebble Beach Pro-Am, and his most recent victory in a major was almost eight years ago, when he triumphed at the 2013 British Open.
It's time to change both of those dates, as the 50-year-old claimed the PGA Championship on Sunday with a final-round 73, making history as golf's oldest major champion. He finished the tournament 6 under par.
On Thursday in the first round, Mickelson carded a 70 at the blustery Ocean Course at Kiawah Island in South Carolina.
He followed that with rounds of 69 and 70 on Friday and Saturday, respectively, to take the 54-hole lead heading into play Sunday.
The highlight from Mickelson’s final round Sunday came on the fifth hole, where he escaped the sand to hoop his shot for a birdie.
Overall, Mickelson rolled up a whopping 22 birdies on the weekend, first among all players in the competition.
Speaking of competition, Lefty held off charges from the likes of Louis Oosthuizen and Brooks Koepka over the course of the weekend to claim his sixth career major in epic fashion.
It was a breath of fresh air to see Mickelson at the top. The storied golfer, who now has 45 PGA Tour wins on his résumé, had not finished better than tied for 21st at any event this year, with that coming at The Masters.
The reason for his strong play, according to early-round playing partner Jason Day, was simply that Mickelson kept the ball in play.
"There were no foul balls," Day said. "Usually with Phil, you can get some pretty wide ones, and he kept it straight out in front of him."
As it turns out, one veteran observer’s expectation to see Mickelson contend through the weekend was a bit clairvoyant.
"I think he has the bit between his teeth. I think he can do it in these conditions, just like myself," Padraig Harrington said earlier this weekend. "I think myself, Phil would find it easier to compete on this style of golf course in these conditions in a major all the time. You can be patient on these courses. It suits … somebody who is thinking."
Harrington was referring to the breezy weather at the course, conditions that he said rewarded experience and patience.
Here are some reactions to Mickelson’s amazing run this weekend.
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