From his improbable birdie putt on No. 18 at the 2004 Masters to Payne Stewart embracing him after a hard-fought defeat, we review the top 10 moments in Phil Mickelson’s career.
Only a few months after winning his third green jacket, Phil Mickelson arrived for his Tuesday press conference prior to the start of the PGA Championship at Whistling Straits. Lefty, who had just turned 40, let the media in on a little secret , revealing that he has psoriatic arthritis, which causes the immune system to attack joints and tendons and can cause severe pain throughout the body. While the announcement came as a surprise to most, Mickelson expressed confidence that the arthritis was under control and wouldn’t have a long-term effect on his career. (Getty)
Heading into the 2002 U.S. Open at Bethpage Black Tiger Woods was the clear favorite, but you wouldn’t have thought that by the crowd reaction at the New York public course. Hosting the U.S. Open for the first time, New Yorkers flocked to Bethpage, setting attendance records along the way. Mickelson played the role of the underdog in 2002 and was highly regarded as the best player without a major at the time, which is why the crowd embraced him at every turn. Thus, the “love connection” was formed between Mickelson and the New York gallery. Lefty’s playing partner in the final round, Jeff Maggert, marveled afterward that “I’ve never seen a crowd behind a player more in a round of golf.” (Getty)
Mickelson started his 2013 season with a bang at the Humana Challenge in California, but it wasn’t with a victory. In a news conference following Lefty’s final-round 66, which gave him a T-37 finish to start the season, he announced that we could possibly see “big changes” coming in 2014. Mickelson, referring to new tax zones, was later quoted saying, “I happen to be in that zone that has been targeted both federally and by the state and it doesn’t work for me right now.” (Getty)
The stage was set at Doral in the 2005 Ford Championship. Mickelson had held at least a share of the lead after each round. Heading into Sunday’s finale, Lefty was paired with Tiger Woods, who was two back. The two battled throughout the day in a heated duel that ultimately saw Woods (66) best Mickelson’s 3-under 69 by three shots and take the title at Doral. (Getty)
The 2004 Ryder Cup became very significant, at least for the Americans, when U.S. captain Hal Sutton decided to do something no other captain had done, pairing Tiger Woods with Mickelson. While the pairing may have looked great on paper, Woods-Mickelson went 0-2 in Friday’s matches. Sutton didn’t pair the then-world No. 1 and No. 2 together on Saturday, but by then the damage was done, Europe had the momentum and wound up steamrolling the U.S., 18 1/2 to 9 1/2. (Getty)
The 2010 Masters was memorable for Mickelson because it was his third green jacket, because of his improbable shot from the pine straw at No. 13 on Sunday, and because he shot a final-round 67 to claim the title. But what made the tournament really special for Lefty was the presence of his wife, Amy. She was undergoing treatment for breast cancer, but she made the trip to surprise Phil as he walked off the green at 18. (Getty)
Not only is the 1999 U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2 regarded as one of the most exciting Opens ever, it also had compelling off-course storylines. One concerned Mickelson and his wife, Amy, as they were expecting their first child sometime that week. In the final round, it was a battle between Mickelson and Payne Stewart, who at No. 18 sank a 15-foot par putt to nip Mickelson by a stroke. Stewart fist-pumped in celebration, then embraced Mickelson and told him, “You’re going to be a father, and there’s nothing greater in the world.” (Getty)
At the beginning of Mickelson’s career, many didn’t believe his game was suited to win overseas on links-style courses. However, Lefty pieced together the best stretch of links golf in his career. After winning the Scottish Open the week prior, Mickelson came into the Open Championship at Muirfield brimming with confidence. Despite being five shots off the lead at the start of the final round, Mickelson fired a magnificent 5-under 66 with birdies on the final two holes. The claret jug was a trophy he felt would always elude him, and after the round he admitted, “I didn’t know if I would ever be able to develop the skills to win this championship, let alone play the best round of my life.” (Getty)
Mickelson has had his fair share of meltdowns at the U.S. Open, but none could top his infamous collapse at Winged Foot in 2006. Needing only a par as he stood on the tee at No. 18, Lefty pulled out his driver, which he hadn’t been hitting well. He badly sliced his tee shot, which hit a corporate tent, flubbed the next shot and found himself needing to chip in just to force a Monday playoff with Geoff Ogilvy, but it wasn’t meant to be. He made a double bogey and later uttered the now immortal assessment, “I am such an idiot.” It will forever be a reminder of yet another runner-up finish (he now has six) at the U.S. Open. (Getty)
Without a doubt, the most defining moment in Phil Mickelson’s career came at the 2004 Masters, when he finally broke through to win his first major. On Easter Sunday, Mickelson wasn’t about to let past letdowns continue to define him. Midway through the final round it looked as if the tournament was in doubt for Mickelson as Ernie Els had stormed into the lead with a 67 in his final round. However, after playing his final seven holes in 5 under par and sinking a lengthy birdie putt at No. 18, Mickelson finally became a major champion. (Getty)
