This past weekend the PGA Championship was played out on a sunbaked course in Lowcountry, South Carolina, as the Ocean Course at Kiawah Island hosted the 103rd edition of the championship. Rory McIlroy won the last PGA held at Kiawah in 2013 and was again a favorite heading into the week with a recent PGA Tour win in North Carolina at Quail Hollow and a world top ten ranking.
However, what unfolded over the course of the four day competition was nothing short of miraculous.
Starting the week, no player over the age of 48 had ever won a major championship. When the 103rd PGA Championship ended, history was made and a new record was set. At almost 51 years of age, Phil Mickelson, a present day version of Arnold Palmer, walked away with the Wanamaker Trophy. In an unprecedented performance of determination, self-belief and will, Mickelson summoned all of his golfing gifts and was able to secure a two stroke victory on one of the toughest golf courses in championship golf.
Forget the fact that Lefty, as Mickelson has been dubbed by his legion of fans, had not finished a tournament in the top ten in two years and was ranked out of the top 100 in the world. This of course does not take into account his two back-to-wins on the senior circuit last season. But by PGA Tour standards, Mickelson came in as a dark-horse with little or no real shot of winning the championship. Which makes this victory so sweet and flat out awesome.
After taking a commanding five shot lead on Saturday afternoon and reaching an amazing 10 under par, Mickelson proceeded to do what he has done many times in the past. Execute a poor swing at a crucial time and give shots back to the field. By the end of play on Saturday, Mickelson (-7) was only one stroke ahead of Brooks Koepka (-6). Setting up a showdown between two of the most competitive golfers on Tour.
Sunday turned out to be Mickelson vs. Koepka and few other possibilities sprinkled in, but the final group would have their say on who would win the tournament. After the first hole Mickelson was one down to Koepka, and it looked like Mickelson was heading down a road we have all seen before, so close yet so far from the winners circle.
When both players in the final group showed signs of mental weakness and possible fatigue after a grueling week in the South Carolina sun, it was Mickelson’s caddie and brother who set him straight.
“Tim took me aside after the sixth hole as my first few holes were up and down, and told me if I wanted to win this tournament I would have to hit committed golf shots,” stated Mickelson. “My brother doesn’t say a lot, but he has a knack to say the right thing at the right time. After that comment I committed to my shots and started to execute and perform better, not perfect but better.”
Thank God for younger brothers.
His performance ended up being good enough for a two shot victory in the 103rd PGA Championship. And at 50 years old and only three weeks to go until 51, the victory makes him the oldest man to win a major championship. The previous mark was set by Julius Boros at the PGA Championship in 1968. He was 48 years old. Of course this all would be moot if the story of possibly the century unfolded the way we all wanted. Roughly ten years ago, Tom Watson at 59, was poised and in position to win the Open Championship on the 72nd hole, but it wasn’t meant to be.
Mickelson’s message to everyone, “Do not let age define what you can achieve. Everything and everyone said this could not be done, but I am here to tell you and demonstrate it can be done with hard work, sacrifice and a positive attitude.”
Well done Mr. Mickelson, it was extremely entertaining to watch you hit bombs this weekend and even sneak a few past today’s longest hitters. We all hope to see you do this at least one more time, as this win grants entry into all the majors for Mickelson over the next five years. With this five year exemption, Mickelson can compete in the 2021 U.S. Open on his own terms and return the special invite granted to him by the USGA.
Phil Mickelson is already a member of the Golf Hall of Fame. This win just puts him into a new category and may possibly put him in the top 10 golfers of all time. He has amassed an amazing professional record of 45 wins on the PGA Tour, including six major championships: three Masters titles (2004, 2006, 2010), two PGA Championships (2005, 2021), and one Open Championship (2013).
This past weekend proved 50 can be as good as 30, with hard work, self-belief and a positive attitude. A little luck along the way doesn’t hurt either.
Now go ice your thumbs, Lefty, and good luck at Torrey Pines in June. We will all be watching and routing for a career grand slam.
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