History of Phil Mickelson in Timeline

Philip Alfred Mickelson, known as Phil Mickelson and nicknamed "Lefty," is a highly accomplished American professional golfer currently playing in the LIV Golf League. He has secured 45 PGA Tour victories, highlighted by six major championships: three Masters titles, two PGA Championships, and one Open Championship. Notably, Mickelson became the oldest major championship winner at the 2021 PGA Championship at 50 years old. He is renowned for his left-handed playing style.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1989: Mickelson plays in Waste Management Phoenix Open

In 1989, Phil Mickelson played in the Waste Management Phoenix Open. This became a notable streak that would be broken in 2020 when he decided to play in the Saudi International tournament instead.

1991: Mickelson wins as an amateur

In 1991, Phil Mickelson won a tournament as an amateur, making him ineligible to receive any prize money.

1994: Presidents Cup Selection

On September 6, 2016, Phil Mickelson was named as a captain's pick for the Presidents Cup, marking 23 consecutive USA team selections in the Presidents Cup and Ryder Cup dating back to 1994.

1997: First Time Missing Cut at Masters

In 1997, Phil Mickelson missed the cut at the Masters for the first time since 1997. He also failed to contend at the U.S. Open.

1997: Tiger Woods' Historic Win

In 1997, Tiger Woods had a historic win which resulted in high television ratings in the United States, a record only surpassed by the 2010 Masters.

1997: Mickelson Ranked Above Woods

In 1997, prior to the Masters Tournament, Phil Mickelson was ranked above Tiger Woods.

2001: Tiger Woods' Historic Win

In 2001, Tiger Woods had a historic win which resulted in high television ratings in the United States, a record only surpassed by the 2010 Masters.

2001: Historical Context to Runner-Up Score

In 2016, after Mickelson's performance at The Open Championship, it was noted that his 267 total set a record score for a runner-up in the British Open, and only trails Mickelson's 266 at the 2001 PGA Championship as the lowest total by a runner-up in major championship history.

2004: Comparison to 2004 Season Start

In 2016, Phil Mickelson's third-place finish was his highest in his first worldwide start of a calendar year since he won the same event to begin the 2004 season.

2008: Walters makes illicit gains using private information

From 2008 to 2014, Billy Walters made $40 million using private information from Thomas Davis. In 2017, Walters was convicted of these acts.

2009: HSBC Champions becomes a WGC event

In 2009, the HSBC Champions tournament officially became a World Golf Championships (WGC) event.

2010: U.S. Open and World Ranking

In 2010, Phil Mickelson finished T4 at the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach. Despite having opportunities to become the world's number one player following Tiger Woods' issues, a series of disappointing finishes led to Lee Westwood taking the top spot.

2010: Mickelson diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis

In 2010, Phil Mickelson was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis and began treatment with Enbrel, subsequently endorsing the drug.

2010: Masters Tournament Victory

In 2010, Phil Mickelson won the Masters Tournament with a score of 16-under-par, surpassing Lee Westwood by three strokes. This victory marked Mickelson's third Masters win and fourth major championship overall. A critical point was his performance in the third round, where he made eagle on the 13th and holed-out for eagle from 141 yards on the 14th.

2010: Strong Performance at 2010 Masters

In 2010, Phil Mickelson's performance at the Masters, finishing second to Tiger Woods in major championships among contemporaries, after Woods's return to competitive play, contributed to strong television ratings for the event in the United States.

2011: Farmers Insurance Open

In 2011, Phil Mickelson started his season at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines Golf Course. He was tied for the lead after 54 holes, but Bubba Watson won the tournament. Mickelson needed to hole out on the 18th hole for eagle from 74 yards to force a playoff.

2011: Mickelson's estimated earnings

In 2011, Phil Mickelson was estimated to be the second-highest paid athlete in the United States, earning over $62 million, with $53 million coming from endorsements.

2012: Mickelson trades in Dean Foods stock

In 2012, Mickelson traded in Dean Foods stock based on confidential information provided by Thomas Davis, a former director of Dean Foods Company, and profited more than $931,000.

2012: Mixed Results and Withdrawal

In 2012, Phil Mickelson faced mixed results, including a T-7th finish at the HP Byron Nelson Championship followed by a withdrawal from the Memorial Tournament due to mental fatigue. He also played in the U.S. Open where he finished T-65th.

2012: PGA Tour Victory

In 2012, Phil Mickelson had a notable year on the PGA Tour, winning the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am with a final-round score of 8-under 64, marking his 40th career victory. He also lost the Northern Trust Open in a three-way playoff, despite holding a lead.

2012: FedEx Cup Playoffs and Ryder Cup

In 2012, Phil Mickelson participated in the FedEx Cup Playoffs, with finishes including T38 at The Barclays and T2 at the BMW Championship. He also had a 3–1 record at the Ryder Cup, though the USA team lost the event.

2013: Mickelson led the PGA Tour in birdie average

In 2013, Phil Mickelson led the PGA Tour in birdie average, showcasing his consistent scoring ability.

2013: Seeking to End Winless Drought

In 2016, at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, it was mentioned that Phil Mickelson was seeking to end a winless drought dating back to the 2013 Open Championship.

2013: Open Championship Win

In 2016, it was noted that Phil Mickelson's third-place finish at the CareerBuilder Challenge was only his fifth top-five finish since his win at the 2013 Open Championship.

2013: 2013 Season Start

In January 2013, Phil Mickelson started his season by playing in the Humana Challenge, where he finished T37 at −17. His next event was the Farmers Insurance Open, where he finished T51.

May 30, 2014: FBI and SEC investigate Mickelson

On May 30, 2014, The Wall Street Journal reported that the FBI and U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) were investigating Phil Mickelson and his associates for insider trading in Clorox and Dean Foods stock.

2014: Walters makes illicit gains using private information

From 2008 to 2014, Billy Walters made $40 million using private information from Thomas Davis. In 2017, Walters was convicted of these acts.

2015: Mickelson's estimated annual income

In 2015, Forbes estimated Phil Mickelson's annual income to be $51 million, primarily from endorsements.

2015: Masters Performance

In 2015, Phil Mickelson finished tied for second at the Masters with Justin Rose, four shots behind Jordan Spieth. This marked Mickelson's tenth second-place finish in a major.

2015: Hiring New Swing Coach

In 2015, after leaving Butch Harmon, Phil Mickelson hired Andrew Getson of Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona, as his new swing coach. They worked together during the offseason to refine Mickelson's swing.

2015: Recollection of 2013 Open Championship Win

In an interview before the 2015 Open, Phil Mickelson reflected on his 2013 Open Championship win, expressing how much it meant to him.

2015: Results not in chronological order

The golf results for Phil Mickelson prior to 2015 are not presented in chronological order.

May 19, 2016: Mickelson named as relief defendant in SEC complaint

On May 19, 2016, Phil Mickelson was named as a relief defendant in an SEC complaint alleging insider trading related to Dean Foods stock but avoided criminal charges.

2016: CareerBuilder Challenge Performance

In 2016, under Andrew Getson's guidance, Phil Mickelson made his debut at the CareerBuilder Challenge. He finished in a tie for third place at 21-under-par. This was Mickelson's highest finish in his first start of a calendar year since 2004.

2016: Sports Hernia Surgeries and Return

In the fall of 2016, Phil Mickelson underwent two sports hernia surgeries. His unexpected return at the CareerBuilder Challenge led to a T-21 finish. He continued with consistent performances, including a T14 finish at the Farmers Insurance Open and a T-16 finish at the Waste Management Phoenix Open.

2017: Walters convicted of insider trading, Mickelson fined

In 2017, Billy Walters was convicted of insider trading, and Phil Mickelson was fined by the SEC the equivalent of his $931,000 profit from trading Dean Foods stock, plus $105,000 in interest.

March 4, 2018: WGC-Mexico Championship Win

On March 4, 2018, Phil Mickelson won the WGC-Mexico Championship, ending a winless drought since 2013. He defeated Justin Thomas in a playoff to secure his 43rd PGA Tour victory and became the oldest winner of a WGC event at age 47.

November 23, 2018: Capital One's The Match Victory

On November 23, 2018, Phil Mickelson won Capital One's The Match, a $9,000,000 winner-takes-all match against Tiger Woods. He beat Woods on the fourth extra hole.

2018: Ryder Cup Performance

In 2018, Phil Mickelson was a captain's pick for Team USA at the Ryder Cup. He lost his matches, and Team USA was defeated by Europe with a score of 17.5 to 10.5.

2018: Controversial Incident at U.S. Open

In the third round of the 2018 U.S. Open, Phil Mickelson incurred a two-stroke penalty for intentionally hitting his ball while it was still moving. He ultimately shot an 81 (+11) for the round.

December 2019: Mickelson to play in Saudi International

In December 2019, Phil Mickelson announced via Twitter that he would play in the 2020 Saudi International tournament on the European Tour, missing the Waste Management Phoenix Open for the first time since 1989, after turning down opportunities to go to the Middle East for many years.

2019: AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am Victory

In 2019, Phil Mickelson won the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, his 44th career title on the PGA Tour, defeating Paul Casey. At 48, he became the oldest winner of the event, tying Mark O'Meara for most victories.

June 16, 2020: Mickelson becomes eligible for PGA Tour Champions

On June 16, 2020, his 50th birthday, Phil Mickelson became eligible for the PGA Tour Champions. He subsequently won the Charles Schwab Series at Ozarks National in his debut tournament, tying a PGA Tour Champions record.

August 2020: Mickelson eliminated from FedEx Cup Playoffs

In August 2020, Phil Mickelson was eliminated from the FedEx Cup Playoffs following The Northern Trust at TPC Boston.

October 2020: Mickelson wins Dominion Energy Charity Classic

In October 2020, Phil Mickelson won the Dominion Energy Charity Classic in Virginia, marking his second consecutive win on the PGA Tour Champions.

2020: Results not in chronological order

The golf results for Phil Mickelson in 2020 are not presented in chronological order.

February 2021: Mickelson finishes T-20 at Cologuard Classic

In February 2021, Phil Mickelson finished in a T-20 position at the Cologuard Classic, with a score of 4 under par, falling short of becoming the first player in PGA Tour Champions history to win his first three tournaments on tour.

May 2021: Mickelson wins PGA Championship

In May 2021, Phil Mickelson won the PGA Championship at the Kiawah Island Golf Resort in South Carolina, becoming the oldest major champion at 50, defeating Brooks Koepka and Louis Oosthuizen by two strokes. Thousands of fans gathered around him after his second shot on the 18th hole, cheering him on as he walked to the green.

October 2021: Mickelson wins Constellation Furyk & Friends

In October 2021, Phil Mickelson won the inaugural Constellation Furyk & Friends over Miguel Ángel Jiménez in Jacksonville, Florida, marking his third win in four career starts on the PGA Tour Champions.

November 2021: Mickelson wins Charles Schwab Cup Championship

In November 2021, Phil Mickelson won the season-ending Charles Schwab Cup Championship in Phoenix, Arizona. This victory marked Mickelson's fourth win in six career starts on PGA Tour Champions.

2021: Mickelson withdraws from PGA Championship

In 2021, Phil Mickelson decided to withdraw from the PGA Championship, a tournament he had previously won in 2021.

2021: Season as of 2021

The data provided is current as of the 2021 golf season.

June 6, 2022: Mickelson to play in LIV Golf Invitational Series

On June 6, 2022, LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman announced that Phil Mickelson would play in the first event on the LIV Golf Invitational Series, beginning on June 9, 2022.

June 9, 2022: PGA Tour suspends Mickelson for playing in LIV Golf event

On June 9, 2022, the first day of the LIV Golf Invitational London, the PGA Tour suspended Phil Mickelson and 16 other current and former tour members for participating in a conflicting event without permission from the tour.

2022: Mickelson loses sponsors after LIV Golf comments

In 2022, Phil Mickelson lost sponsors including KPMG, Amstel Light, and Workday after making controversial comments about the Saudi-backed LIV Golf league and Saudi Arabia's human rights record.

2023: Mickelson finishes tied second at Masters Tournament

In 2023, Phil Mickelson finished tied for second at the Masters Tournament, shooting a final round of 65, equaling his lowest score at Augusta from almost 27 years earlier.