| Full Name | Philip Alfred Mickelson |
| Age | 53 |
| Birthday | June 16, 1970 |
| Born | San Diego, California, United States |
| Residence | Rancho Santa Fe, California |
| Spouse | Amy Mickelson (m. 1996) |
| Children | 3 (Amanda, Sophia, Evan) |
| College | Arizona State University |
| Turned Pro | 1992 |
| PGA Tour Wins | 45 |
| Major Wins | 6 |
| PGA Player of the Year | 4 (2004, 2006, 2007, 2009) |
| World Golf HOF | Class of 2012 |
| Career Earnings | $94 million |
| Net Worth | $400 million |
Early Life and Origins
Born and raised in San Diego, Phil Mickelson grew up immersed in golf. His dad, an airline pilot and former naval aviator, began teaching him the game as a toddler. Phil took to it immediately, mimicking his father‘s left-handed swing despite being right-handed.
Phil won his first tournament at age 7, and continued honing his skills on local San Diego courses throughout his childhood. As a teen, he took lessons from renowned instructor Rick Smith, helping transform him into a world beater.
Illustrious Amateur and NCAA Career
Before turning pro, Mickelson first cemented his legend as an amateur phenom. He became the face of college golf during his time at Arizona State, winning three individual NCAA championships.
During his three years at ASU, Lefty completely dominated the collegiate circuit. He was a three-time first-team All-American, three-time Haskins Award winner, and the first golfer to earn first-team All-American honors all four years in college.
Phil‘s NCAA dominance translated into amateur tournament wins as well. He won the Tucson Open as an amateur in 1991, and narrowly missed out on making the 1991 U.S. Open playoff.
Dominating the PGA Tour for Three Decades
Since joining the PGA Tour in 1992, Mickelson compiled a resume matched by few in the sport‘s history. His list of accomplishments is staggering:
- 45 PGA Tour wins – 9th all-time
- 6 major championship victories – Across all 4 majors
- 5 green jackets from The Masters – 2nd only to Jack Nicklaus
- 16 Ryder Cup appearances – Key member of dominant U.S. teams
- Over $94 million in career earnings
Lefty has spent over 850 weeks ranked inside the top 10 of the Official World Golf Rankings. His aggressive, swashbuckling style has yielded some of the PGA Tour‘s most memorable shots and triumphant fist pumps.
Phil has also mentored young stars like Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas and Xander Schauffele, passing on his attacking instincts to a new generation.
Chasing the Career Grand Slam
The lone blemish on Mickelson‘s resume is his inability to capture golf‘s most elusive achievement – the career Grand Slam. With his 2021 PGA Championship win, Phil now owns all four major titles. But he has never won them all in the same calendar year to complete the Slam.
Heartbreakingly, Lefty has finished runner-up a record six times at the U.S. Open without lifting the trophy. At age 51, his opportunities are dwindling to complete the set. But Phil‘s army of loyal fans still believe he has enough magic left to notch that final career-defining win.
Connecting with Fans
Unlike some star athletes who maintain an icy disconnect from spectators, Mickelson has always embraced engaging with fans. He shares thumbs ups, autographs and trinkets from his bag without even being asked.
This warmth and generosity of spirit have endeared him to galleries for decades. Crowds will eruptle in euphoric roars when Phil pulls off an improbable recovery shot or drops a long birdie putt. He‘s the people‘s champion who we live and die with on every hole.
The Numbers Behind the Legend
- 44 – Phil‘s lifetime PGA Tour victories, good for 9th on the all-time list
- 6 – Major championship wins (Masters x3, PGA Championship x2, Open Championship x1)
- 3 – Times named PGA Tour Player of the Year (2004, 2006, 2009)
- $94 million – Career tournament earnings, one of the highest totals ever
- 12 – Career Ryder Cup points, on 12 different American teams
- 1 – Remaining major for the career Grand Slam (U.S. Open)
Why We Love Phil
With his upbeat demeanor, go-for-broke style, and connection to fans, Phil Mickelson has secured a special place in golf history. Here are some of the qualities that make Lefty so beloved:
- His swashbuckling shotmaking and on-course daring
- His longevity and world-class excellence across three decades
- His graciousness in success and humble spirit
- His generosity toward charitable causes
- The special bond he shares with crowds
Simply put, there‘s no one who plays the game quite like Phil Mickelson. He always keeps us on the edge of our seats, while wearing his heart on his sleeve. Win or lose, Lefty epitomizes the joyful spirit of golf.
