Miles Bennett
Phil Mickelson is one of the most decorated golfers of all time. Despite being naturally right-handed, he plays golf left-handed, having learned the game by mirroring his right-handed father's swing. He has spent over 25 consecutive years in the top 50 of the Official World Golf Ranking, including over 700 weeks in the top 10, and has won six major championships. He is known for his aggressive, high-risk style of play, particularly with his driver, and his excellent short game. In 2022, Mickelson joined the Saudi-backed LIV Golf league, causing him to lose several sponsors.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Philip Alfred Mickelson |
| Date of Birth | June 16, 1970 |
| Birthplace | San Diego, California |
| Current League | LIV Golf League |
| Total PGA Tour Wins | 45 |
| Major Championships Won | 6 |
| Masters Wins | 3 (2004, 2006, 2010) |
| PGA Championship Wins | 2 (2005, 2021) |
| Open Championship Wins | 1 (2013) |
| World Golf Ranking | Ranked No. 2 several times |
| Weeks in Top 10 Ranking | Over 700 |
| Years in Top 50 Ranking | 25+ consecutive years |
| Golf Style | Left-handed swing (naturally right-handed) |
| First PGA Tour Event Won | Northern Telecom Open (1991) |
| University | Arizona State University |
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What You'll Learn
Phil Mickelson's golf career
Phil Mickelson is an American professional golfer born on June 16, 1970, in San Diego, California, and raised in Scottsdale, Arizona. He began playing golf under his father's instruction before starting school. Mickelson's father, a commercial pilot, played golf right-handed, but his son learned to swing left-handed by mirroring him.
Mickelson graduated from the University of San Diego High School in 1988 and went on to attend Arizona State University on a golf scholarship. He became the face of amateur golf in the United States, capturing three NCAA individual championships and three Haskins Awards (1990, 1991, 1992) as the outstanding collegiate golfer. Over the course of his collegiate career, he won 16 tournaments.
Mickelson turned pro in 1992 and has since established himself as one of the greatest golfers of all time. He has won 45 events on the PGA Tour, including six major championships: three Masters titles (2004, 2006, 2010), two PGA Championships (2005, 2021), and one Open Championship (2013). With his win at the 2021 PGA Championship, Mickelson became the oldest major championship winner in history at the age of 50 years, 11 months, and 7 days. He is one of only 17 players in the history of golf to win at least three of the four majors.
Mickelson's other notable achievements include spending over 700 weeks in the top 10 of the Official World Golf Ranking, reaching a career-high ranking of No. 2 several times, and being inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2012. He is also known for his dedication to fitness and longevity in his career, adopting a regimen that includes increasing flexibility and power, eating five smaller meals a day, aerobic training, and carrying his own golf bag.
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His playing style
Phil Mickelson is an American professional golfer who currently plays in the LIV Golf League. He has won 45 events on the PGA Tour, including six major championships: three Masters titles, two PGA Championships, and one Open Championship.
Mickelson's playing style is described as "aggressive" and highly social. His strategy toward difficult shots, such as bad lies and obstructions, is considered risky. He is known for his powerful and sometimes inaccurate driver, but it is his excellent short game that draws the most praise. His signature move is the "Phil flop" shot, where he uses a high-lofted wedge against a tight lie to fly the ball high into the air for a short distance.
Mickelson's success is also attributed to his dedication to the sport from a young age. He started playing golf under his father's instruction before starting school. His father, a commercial pilot, played with him several times a week, and Mickelson honed his creative short game in their San Diego backyard. This early exposure to the game, combined with his natural talent, laid the foundation for his future success.
Although naturally right-handed, Mickelson is known for his left-handed swing, earning him the nickname "Lefty." He developed this unique style by mirroring his right-handed father's swing. This ability to adapt and create a distinct style showcases his creativity and willingness to forge his own path in golf.
Mickelson's impressive career has seen him spend over 25 consecutive years in the top 50 of the Official World Golf Ranking, with more than 700 weeks in the top 10. He has achieved a career-high ranking of No. 2 several times and is a life member of the PGA Tour. His achievements have been recognized with his induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2012.
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His performance at the Masters Tournament
Phil Mickelson has had a storied career at the Masters Tournament, with the American golfer winning the championship three times (2004, 2006, 2010) as part of his 45 PGA Tour event wins.
Mickelson's first major championship win came at the Masters in 2004, his 13th year on the PGA Tour. He secured victory with an 18-foot (5.5 m) birdie putt on the final hole, finishing one stroke ahead of runner-up Ernie Els.
In 2010, Mickelson won the Masters Tournament again, this time with a 16-under-par performance, giving him a three-stroke win over Lee Westwood. This was his third Masters victory and fourth major championship overall. The win was set up by a dramatic run in the third round, where he trailed leader Westwood by five strokes. However, he proceeded to make eagle, then holed out for eagle from 141 yards at the next hole, the par-4 14th.
At the 2023 Masters Tournament, Mickelson made what was viewed by many as the performance of the tournament. Beginning the final day ten shots off the lead, he finished in a tie for second place. Shooting a 65, Mickelson equalled his lowest score at Augusta, almost 27 years earlier. In the last seven holes, he scored five birdies and two pars.
Mickelson has also had other notable performances at the Masters. In 2010, he finished second to Tiger Woods, moving him ahead of Ernie Els, Vijay Singh, and Pádraig Harrington in terms of major championships among his contemporaries. In 2024, he made his 31st appearance at the Masters.
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His sponsors
Phil Mickelson, the American professional golfer, has had a long list of sponsors throughout his career. In 2011, he was the second-highest-paid athlete in the United States, earning an income of over $62 million, $53 million of which came from endorsements.
Some of Mickelson's notable sponsors have included:
- Primo: In 2025, Primo, a fast-growing golf apparel line, partnered with HyFlyers GC, the LIV Golf team captained by Mickelson. As part of the partnership, Primo became the official golf apparel sponsor of HyFlyers GC, with Mickelson and his teammates wearing Primo's products in all competitive rounds at LIV events and major championships.
- KPMG: Mickelson had a sponsorship deal with KPMG, a professional services firm, but lost the sponsorship in 2022 after making controversial comments about the Saudi-backed golf league, LIV Golf.
- Amstel Light: Another sponsor that Mickelson lost in 2022 due to his comments about the LIV Golf league was Amstel Light, a beer brand.
- Workday: Workday, an American software company, was also one of Mickelson's sponsors that ended their partnership in 2022 due to the golfer's controversial statements.
- ExxonMobil: Mickelson has also endorsed ExxonMobil, a major oil and gas company, although it is unclear if this sponsorship is still active.
Mickelson's endorsements and sponsorships have been a significant source of income for him, often surpassing his earnings from tournament prize money. His sponsors have capitalised on his success and reputation in the golfing world, with his achievements on the course translating into commercial success off it.
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His legacy
Phil Mickelson is an American professional golfer born on June 16, 1970, in San Diego, California. He is one of the most decorated golfers ever, with 45 PGA Tour wins, including six major championships. He has spent over 700 weeks in the top 10 of the Official World Golf Ranking and was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2012.
Mickelson took to golf at an extremely young age, hitting his first golf balls at just 18 months old. He learned the basics of the sport by mirroring his father's swing, which led the naturally right-handed golfer to adopt a left-handed stroke and the nickname "Lefty." He won dozens of San Diego-area tournaments as a junior golfer and captured three consecutive national Junior Player of the Year awards (1986-1988).
Mickelson's golfing prowess earned him a full scholarship to Arizona State University, where he was named first-team All-American in each of his four years and won three NCAA individual championships (1989, 1990, and 1992). In 1990, he won the U.S. Amateur Championship, and the following year, he won his first PGA Tour event, the Northern Telecom Open, as an amateur. This feat made him one of the few golfers in history to achieve this.
Mickelson became one of the most dominant players on the PGA Tour in the 1990s and early 2000s. He developed a rivalry with Tiger Woods that divided golf fans and brought excitement to the sport. Despite his reputation as the best player never to have won a major tournament, he eventually broke through with a Masters win in 2004, followed by another in 2006 and a third in 2010. He also won the PGA Championship in 2005 and 2021 and the British Open (Open Championship) in 2013.
Mickelson's legacy is that of a golfing great, with a unique left-handed swing and an impressive list of achievements. He is one of the most successful golfers of all time, and his impact on the sport will be long-lasting.
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Frequently asked questions
Phil Mickelson's playing style is described as ""aggressive" and highly social. His strategy toward difficult shots tends to be considered risky. He is known for his powerful and sometimes inaccurate driver, but his excellent short game draws the most positive reviews.
Phil Mickelson is one of the most decorated golfers ever. He has spent over 25 consecutive years in the world top 50, with over 700 weeks in the top 10, and has reached a career-high ranking of No. 2 several times. He is a six-time major winner and has won three individual NCAA championships. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2012.
Phil Mickelson is considered one of the most significant golfers since 1990. He is known for his bold and exciting style of play and his success over decades at the pinnacle of golf. He is also respected for his contributions to growing the game, particularly among younger crowds and on a global scale.
