American · San Diego, California · Born 16 June 1970American left-handed golfer with 45 PGA Tour wins and 6 majors across three decades, now competing on LIV Golf.
Philip Alfred Mickelson was born on 16 June 1970 in San Diego, California, to Phil Sr., a commercial airline pilot, and developed his signature left-handed swing as a naturally right-handed child by mirroring his father across the practice green the family built in their backyard, playing his first full round at just three years old. Mickelson, nicknamed "Lefty," won three individual NCAA Championships at Arizona State University, tying Ben Crenshaw's record, and became the first left-handed player to win the U.S. Amateur in 1990, remarkably winning a PGA Tour event as a 20-year-old amateur before turning professional in 1992. Mickelson earned a reputation as the finest player never to win a major, finishing runner-up in six majors between 1999 and 2003, before breaking through at the 2004 Masters and going on to win six major championships in total, including the 2013 Open Championship and a historic 2021 PGA Championship victory at 50, making him the oldest major champion in history. Mickelson has continued competing on the LIV Golf League since 2022, needing only the U.S. Open to complete the career Grand Slam, and remains one of the most beloved and commercially successful golfers in the sport's history, renowned for his daring short game and aggressive playing style.
Oldest major champion ever (2021 PGA Championship, age 50)
How They Played
Aggressive, creative shot-making with exceptional short game
Lasting Impact
One of golf's greatest left-handed players with 6 major championships
Career Honours
- Masters 2004, 2006, 2010
- PGA Championship 2005, 2021
- The Open Championship 2013
- World Golf Hall of Fame 2012
American Athletes