Phil Mickelson

About Phil Mickelson

Phil Mickelson, known as Lefty, is an accomplished American professional golfer who currently competes in the LIV Golf League. Throughout his career, he has secured an impressive 45 victories on the PGA Tour, including six major championships. Among his major triumphs are three Masters titles (2004, 2006, 2010), two PGA Championships (2005, 2021), and one Open Championship (2013). Notably, at the age of 50 years, 11 months, and 7 days, Mickelson made history by becoming the oldest major championship winner when he clinched the 2021 PGA Championship. His left-handed playing style has earned him the moniker "Lefty." Having accomplished remarkable feats in golf, he is part of an exclusive group of only 17 players to have triumphed in at least three out of the four major tournaments. Despite his numerous successes, the U.S. Open has eluded him, with Mickelson finishing as the runner-up a record six times. In a significant career move in 2022, he became the sole golfer among the elite group of three-or-more-major winners to join the Saudi-backed LIV Golf tour, marking a departure from his 30-year membership with the PGA Tour. His consistent performance has solidified his status as one of the top golfers worldwide. He has maintained a position in the top 50 of the Official World Golf Ranking for over 25 consecutive years and has spent more than 700 weeks in the top 10. Displaying exceptional skill and dedication, Mickelson has achieved a career-high world ranking of No. 2 multiple times and is a distinguished life member of the PGA Tour. Although naturally right-handed, he honed his left-handed swing by emulating his father's right-handed swing. In recognition of his extraordinary contributions to the sport, he was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2012.

Phil Mickelson Early Life & Family

On June 16, 1970, Phil Mickelson entered the world with the name Phil Alfred Mickelson. He spent his early years in San Diego, California before moving to Scottsdale, Arizona. He proudly holds American nationality and identifies with a Mixed ethnic background as he has Portuguese, Swedish, and Sicilian ancestry. In 2023, he celebrated his 53rd birthday, proudly carrying the Zodiac sign of Gemini. He is practicing the Christian faith. Coming from a family with strong connections to aviation and golf, his father, Philip Mickelson Sr., was a former Navy fighter-jet pilot and commercial airline pilot, while his maternal grandfather, Alfred Santos, worked as a caddie at Pebble Beach Golf Links. His mother's name is Mary Santos. Under the influence of his family, Phil embraced golf from a young age, learning to play left-handed by observing his right-handed father's swing and adopting a similar style. His golf journey began under his father's guidance even before he started his formal education. 

Phil completed his high school education at the prestigious University of San Diego High School in 1988. Continuing his academic pursuits, he earned a golf scholarship to study psychology at Arizona State University in Tempe. After graduating from Arizona State University in 1992, Phil embarked on his professional golf journey. 

Phil Mickelson Golf Career

• Phil Mickelson attended Arizona State University on a golf scholarship, where he excelled as an amateur golfer. 
• He won three individual NCAA championships and led his team to the NCAA team title in 1990.
• Mickelson also became the first left-handed golfer with a win at the U.S. Amateur title in 1990 and went on to win his first PGA Tour event, the Northern Telecom Open, in 1991 as an amateur. 
• He was the low amateur at the Master's Tournament in April that year, but his attempts to make cuts in professional tour events in 1992 were unsuccessful.
• After graduating from ASU in 1992, Phil turned professional and skipped the tour's qualifying process due to his exemption from winning the 1991 Tucson event. 
• He hired Jim "Bones" Mackay as his caddy and went on to win several PGA Tour tournaments, including the Byron Nelson Golf Classic and the World Series of Golf in 1996, the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am in 1998, the Colonial National Invitation in 2000, and the Greater Hartford Open in 2001 and 2002.
• Mickelson ended Tiger Woods's winning streak in the 2000 Buick Invitational. 
• Despite his consistent performances in major championships, he was often referred to as the "best player never to win a major." 
• However, in 2004, he secured his first major championship victory at the Masters, followed by winning the PGA Championship later that year and the Masters again in 2006.
• In 2006, Mickelson had a chance to win three consecutive majors but faltered at the U.S. Open at Winged Foot. 
• Despite being in contention and tied for the lead heading into the final round, he made major mistakes on the final hole, resulting in a double bogey and a tie for second place, one shot behind Geoff Ogilvy.
• Mickelson took risky shots off the tee and hit a tree with his second shot, ultimately costing him the championship. He expressed deep disappointment and apologized for his performance. 
• In the following years, Mickelson displayed acts of appreciation and generosity, including giving money to a spectator whose watch he accidentally broke and paying the tuition of a retired NFL player's daughter. 
• He also made changes to his swing coach, working with Butch Harmon, and experienced success, winning The Players Championship in 2007 and the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial in 2008.
• He was inducted into the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame in 2008.
• In 2009, he experienced both triumph and personal challenges. He won two significant tournaments, starting with the Northern Trust Open where he defended his title, finishing one stroke ahead of Steve Stricker. This victory marked his 35th on the PGA Tour, surpassing Vijay Singh for second place on the wins list. 
• Mickelson followed this success by winning his first World Golf Championship at the WGC-CA Championship, securing a one-stroke win over Nick Watney.
• However, amidst his achievements, Mickelson faced adversity when his wife, Amy, was diagnosed with breast cancer. 
• He decided to suspend his PGA Tour schedule indefinitely to support her during her treatment. 
• The golfing community rallied around the Mickelson family, with players wearing pink attire and participating in events to show their solidarity. 
• Despite the emotional challenges, Mickelson displayed resilience, returning to the tour for the U.S. Open, where he finished as a runner-up. 
• Later in the year, he won The Tour Championship and the WGC-HSBC Champions, proving his golfing prowess and ending the season as the runner-up in the FedEx Cup standings.
• In 2010, Mickelson achieved a significant milestone by winning his third Masters Tournament. 
• He played a remarkable third round, making consecutive eagles on the 13th and 14th holes, and narrowly missing another eagle on the 15th. This strong performance propelled him to the lead, and he continued his stellar play in the final round, posting a bogey-free 67 to secure a three-stroke victory over Lee Westwood. 
• The victory held special meaning for Mickelson as his wife, Amy, who had battled breast cancer, was there to celebrate the win with him. The moment was emotional and heartwarming, with CBS Sports announcer Jim Nantz's call capturing the significance of the victory for Mickelson and his family. 
• Despite Mickelson's triumph, Tiger Woods also made a notable comeback after a scandal-ridden absence, finishing tied for fourth.
• Throughout the remainder of the 2010 season, he had opportunities to become the world's number-one golfer but fell short. 
• He announced his diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis before the PGA Championship but maintained optimism about his condition not affecting his long-term golfing career. 
• He concluded the season with a T12 finish in the championship.
• In 2011, he had a mixed season. He came close to victory at the Farmers Insurance Open but fell short when he needed to hole out for an eagle on the 18th hole, finishing as the runner-up to Bubba Watson.
• However, he bounced back with a win at the Shell Houston Open, where he finished three strokes ahead of Scott Verplank and rose to No. 3 in the world rankings, surpassing Tiger Woods. 
• His performance at The Open Championship was also notable, as he briefly held the lead but struggled with putting, ultimately finishing in a tie for second place with Dustin Johnson.
• In 2012, he started with a tied 49th finish at the Humana Challenge and missed the cut at the Farmers Insurance Open. 
• However, he bounced back with a win at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, marking his 40th career victory on the PGA Tour.
• Mickelson then had a strong performance at the Masters, finishing tied for third. 
• He had notable moments but also faced challenges, including a triple-bogey in the final round.
• Mickelson had some inconsistent results throughout the year, with missed cuts and finishes in the T-7th, T-36th, and T-38th range. 
• He had a decent showing at the FedEx Cup Playoffs and had a positive record at the Ryder Cup, although the USA team didn't win the event.
• In 2013, he had a rollercoaster season. He started with a T37 finish at the Humana Challenge and a disappointing T51 finish at the Farmers Insurance Open. 
• However, he had a remarkable performance at the Waste Management Phoenix Open, tying his career-low round of 60 and leading wire-to-wire to secure his 41st PGA Tour victory and his 3rd Phoenix Open title. 
• Mickelson's win also propelled him back into the world's top 10 rankings. At the U.S. Open, he entered the final round with a one-stroke lead but struggled with double-bogeys and missed opportunities, ultimately finishing tied for second, two shots behind Justin Rose. 
• Despite the disappointment, Mickelson bounced back by winning his fifth major title at the Open Championship, becoming the first player to win both the Scottish Open and The Open Championship in the same year. 
• He played an outstanding final round, birdieing four of the last six holes and shedding tears of joy on the 18th green. 
• Mickelson described it as one of the best rounds of his career and a momentous victory.
• In 2014, he faced some ups and downs in major championships. He missed the cut at the Masters for the first time since 1997 and couldn't contend at the U.S. Open, falling short in his quest for the career grand slam. 
• However, he found success at the PGA Championship, shooting impressive rounds to finish solo second, just one stroke behind Rory McIlroy. 
• Moving to 2015, Mickelson had a slow start to the year but came alive at the Masters, tying for second place with Justin Rose. This marked his tenth second-place finish in a major, second only to Jack Nicklaus.
• At The Open Championship, Mickelson had a chance to make a move on the final day but a triple-bogey on the 17th hole derailed his chances. 
• In 2016, Mickelson made changes, parting ways with his longtime swing coach Butch Harmon and hiring Andrew Getson. 
• Under Getson's guidance, Mickelson had a strong start to the year, finishing in the top three at the CareerBuilder Challenge and the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. 
• He also had a record-setting round of 63 at The Open Championship but ultimately finished as the runner-up to Henrik Stenson.
• Mickelson's performance set records for the lowest score by a runner-up in the British Open and the second-lowest score by a runner-up in major championship history.
• In the fall of 2016, Phil underwent sports hernia surgeries, raising concerns about his recovery.
• However, he made a triumphant return at the CareerBuilder Challenge, finishing T-21. 
• He continued to perform well with solid finishes at the Farmers Insurance Open and the Waste Management Phoenix Open.
• Mickelson came close to winning at the FedEx St. Jude Classic but stumbled on the 12th hole, finishing in ninth place. 
• He withdrew from the U.S. Open to attend his daughter's graduation and experienced further setbacks, missing the cut at The Open Championship and the PGA Championship. 
• Despite these challenges, Mickelson was named as a captain's pick for the Presidents Cup, maintaining his impressive streak of consecutive appearances in international team events
• On March 4, 2018, he ended a five-year winless streak by winning the WGC-Mexico Championship, his 43rd PGA Tour victory. 
• He secured the win in a sudden-death playoff against Justin Thomas, becoming the oldest winner of a World Golf Championships event at the age of 47. 
• Mickelson's victory marked his first since the 2013 Open Championship. However, his performance in the 2018 U.S. Open was marred by controversy when he received a two-stroke penalty for hitting a moving ball. 
• Mickelson's participation in the Ryder Cup that year ended in disappointment, with Team USA suffering a decisive defeat. 
• Later in 2018, Mickelson won "The Match" against Tiger Woods in a highly anticipated pay-per-view event. 
• In 2019, he secured his 44th PGA Tour title by winning the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, becoming the oldest champion in the tournament's history at the age of 48, and tying the record for most victories in the event.
• In December 2019, Mickelson announced his decision to play in the 2020 Saudi International tournament on the European Tour, skipping the Waste Management Phoenix Open for the first time in three decades. This move drew criticism for his apparent disregard for human rights concerns in Saudi Arabia. 
• Nevertheless, Mickelson performed well in the event, finishing tied for third in February 2020. 
• Throughout the year, he had notable achievements on both the PGA Tour and PGA Tour Champions, finishing third at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, tying for second at the WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational, and becoming the first player over 50 to finish in the top five of a World Golf Championship event.
• Mickelson made a successful debut on the PGA Tour Champions, winning the Charles Schwab Series at Ozarks National in June 2020. 
• He followed it up with victories at the Dominion Energy Charity Classic in October 2020 and the Charles Schwab Cup Championship in November 2021. 
• However, his most significant accomplishment came in May 2021 when he won the PGA Championship at the age of 50, becoming the oldest major champion in history.
• In response to controversial comments about supporting Saudi-backed LIV Golf despite human rights concerns, Phil Mickelson lost sponsorships and announced a break from golf, including missing the 2022 Masters and PGA Championship. 
• He later joined the LIV Golf Invitational Series, but the PGA Tour suspended him and others for participating in a conflicting event without permission.
• During the 2023 Masters Tournament, he delivered a remarkable performance that was widely regarded as the highlight of the event. 
• Despite starting the final day with a ten-shot deficit, he rallied to finish tied for second place. 
• With a superb score of 65, Mickelson matched his lowest score at Augusta, a feat he achieved nearly 27 years ago. 
• In the closing stretch of the tournament, he impressively recorded five birdies and two pars in the last seven holes.

Phil Mickelson Net Worth

Phil Mickelson is a highly accomplished golfer who has reached incredible heights in his career. Known for his exceptional left-handed skills, he has garnered numerous accolades and achievements. As of 2023, his estimated net worth stands at a staggering $410 million, with an annual salary exceeding $40 million. Having embarked on his professional journey in 1992, his longevity in the sport for over three decades is truly remarkable and extraordinary. In 2015, Forbes estimated his annual income to be around $51 million. Phil's primary sources of wealth come from his golf career and lucrative endorsement deals. He is living a lavish lifestyle right now. 

Despite ranking second on the PGA Tour's all-time money list, Phil Mickelson's earnings primarily come from endorsements rather than prize money. In 2011, he was the second-highest-paid athlete in the United States, with an income of over $62 million, with $53 million derived from endorsements. Forbes estimated his annual income to be $51 million in 2015. Major companies he endorses include ExxonMobil, Rolex, and Mizzen+Main, while his sponsorship with Callaway Golf is currently on pause. Following his comments about the Saudi-backed golf league, LIV Golf, Mickelson lost several sponsors in 2022, including KPMG, Amstel Light, and Workday, due to concerns over Saudi Arabia's human rights record and the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Phil Mickelson Wife & Children

Phil Mickelson is a married man who tied the knot with his beautiful wife, Amy McBride, in 1996. Together, they share the joy of being parents to three children named Amanda, Sophia, and Evan. Amy, a former cheerleader for the NBA's Phoenix Suns and an alumnus of ASU joined Phil on his journey. In 2009, their lives took a challenging turn when Amy was diagnosed with breast cancer. Phil immediately put his "PGA Tour" schedule on hold to support his wife. After a month, he returned to play upon receiving reassurance from doctors that the cancer was caught early and treatable. However, he once again took a break from golf to be there for his mother's breast cancer treatment at the same hospital. Presently, the couple is relishing their life together without any disruptions, cherishing their time as a family. When it comes to his sexuality, Phil Mickelson's sexual orientation is straight. 

Phil Mickelson Height & Weight

With a striking presence and captivating charm, Phil Mickelson stands impressively tall at 6 ft 3 in (191 cm). Maintaining a balanced physique, he carries a bodyweight of 200 lb (91 kg; 14 st), characterized an average build. His dark brown hair and captivating blue eyes complement his towering stature, drawing the attention of many admirers. Mickelson's journey has had its challenges, including being diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis in 2010, which necessitated medical treatment and a shift to a vegetarian diet to combat the condition. Despite undergoing two hernia surgeries in 2016, he resiliently pursued his golf career. Faced with the need to compete with younger players, he embarked on a weight loss journey under the guidance of trainer Sean Cochran, determined to shed twenty pounds and maintain his fitness for competitive golf. Today, he enjoys a healthy and vibrant physique.