Phil Mickelson is one of the most recognizable and accomplished golfers of his generation. Nicknamed “Lefty,” the American professional golfer built a remarkable career on the PGA TOUR before becoming one of the most prominent players to join LIV Golf.
Born on June 16, 1970, in San Diego, California, Mickelson turned professional in 1992 after an outstanding amateur career at Arizona State University. He went on to win 45 PGA TOUR events and six major championships, including three Masters Tournament titles, two PGA Championships and one Open Championship.
Mickelson’s career reached another historic milestone in 2021 when he won the PGA Championship at the age of 50, becoming the oldest player to win a men’s major championship.
As of 2026, Mickelson remains active as the captain of HyFlyers GC in LIV Golf, although his playing schedule has become more limited. His absence from all four major championships in 2026 and his limited LIV Golf appearances have also generated renewed interest in his career and current status.
Phil Mickelson Biography at a Glance
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Philip Alfred Mickelson |
| Nickname | Lefty |
| Date of Birth | June 16, 1970 |
| Phil Mickelson Age | 56 years |
| Birthplace | San Diego, California, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
| Weight | Around 200 lb (91 kg) |
| College | Arizona State University |
| Turned Professional | 1992 |
| PGA TOUR Wins | 45 |
| Major Championships | 6 |
| Masters Wins | 3 |
| PGA Championship Wins | 2 |
| Open Championship Wins | 1 |
| LIV Golf Team | HyFlyers GC |
| LIV Golf Debut | 2022 |
| PGA TOUR Official Earnings | $96,727,968 |
The PGA TOUR currently lists Mickelson at 56 years old, 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds, with 45 PGA TOUR victories and $96,727,968 in official PGA TOUR earnings.
Who Is Phil Mickelson?
Phil Mickelson is an American professional golfer famous for his aggressive playing style, exceptional short game and left-handed swing. Despite being right-handed in everyday activities, Mickelson learned to play golf left-handed after imitating his father, Phil Mickelson Sr.
His professional career began in 1992, but Mickelson had already established himself as one of the best amateur golfers in the United States.
At Arizona State University, he won three NCAA individual championships and became one of the most decorated collegiate golfers of his era. He also won the U.S. Amateur Championship in 1990.
Mickelson was also unusual because he won a PGA TOUR event as an amateur. His victory at the 1991 Northern Telecom Open made him the last amateur to win a TOUR event before turning professional.
His combination of creativity, confidence and risk-taking made him a fan favorite and eventually turned him into one of the biggest stars in professional golf.
Phil Mickelson Age
Phil Mickelson is 56 years old as of August 2026.
He was born on June 16, 1970, in San Diego, California.
Mickelson’s longevity is one of the defining characteristics of his career. He continued competing at the highest level well into his 40s and 50s, eventually producing one of the greatest late-career performances in golf history.
His age became particularly significant in 2021 when he won the PGA Championship at 50 years, 11 months and seven days old, becoming the oldest men’s major champion.
How old was Phil Mickelson when he won the PGA Championship?
Mickelson was 50 years old when he won the 2021 PGA Championship at Kiawah Island’s Ocean Course.
The victory was particularly remarkable because he defeated a strong field featuring several much younger players. The achievement remains one of the most memorable moments of his career.
Phil Mickelson Early Life and Family Background
Mickelson was born and raised in San Diego, California. His father, Philip Alfred Mickelson Sr., was a Navy pilot and later became a commercial airline pilot. Mickelson developed an interest in golf at an extremely young age and began hitting golf balls when he was reportedly just 18 months old.
Although he is naturally right-handed, Mickelson learned to swing a golf club left-handed by mirroring his father’s right-handed swing.
That unusual background eventually contributed to the nickname “Lefty,” which became synonymous with his professional identity.
Phil Mickelson Amateur Career
Before becoming a professional, Mickelson was already considered one of America’s elite amateur golfers.
At Arizona State University, he achieved an extraordinary record that included:
- Three NCAA individual championships
- Three Haskins Awards
- Multiple first-team All-American selections
- 1990 U.S. Amateur Championship
- A PGA TOUR victory as an amateur
- NCAA team success
Mickelson is also one of only a small number of golfers to win both an NCAA individual championship and the U.S. Amateur in the same year.
His amateur achievements made his transition to professional golf highly anticipated.
Phil Mickelson Professional Career
Mickelson turned professional in 1992 and quickly became one of the most successful golfers on the PGA TOUR.
His first PGA TOUR victory as a professional came at the 1993 Buick Invitational of California, although his earlier 1991 Northern Telecom Open victory as an amateur is also an important part of his career record. His breakthrough into major championship contention continued throughout the 1990s.
Over more than three decades, Mickelson accumulated:
- 45 PGA TOUR victories
- 6 major championships
- 3 Masters victories
- 2 PGA Championships
- 1 Open Championship
- 198 PGA TOUR top-10 finishes according to the supplied career statistics
- More than $96.7 million in official PGA TOUR earnings
His 45 PGA TOUR wins place him among the most successful players in TOUR history.
Phil Mickelson Stats
One of the most searched aspects of the golfer’s career is Phil Mickelson stats. His career numbers demonstrate just how consistently successful he was over more than three decades.
According to the PGA TOUR’s player profile, Mickelson has recorded 670 events, 538 cuts made, 45 wins, 138 top-five finishes and 198 top-10 finishes, along with $96,727,968 in official PGA TOUR earnings.
Phil Mickelson Career Stats
| Statistic | Career Figure |
| PGA TOUR Events | 670 |
| Cuts Made | 538 |
| PGA TOUR Wins | 45 |
| Runner-up Finishes | 38 |
| Top 5 Finishes | 138 |
| Top 10 Finishes | 198 |
| Top 25 Finishes | 335 |
| Official PGA TOUR Earnings | $96,727,968 |
| Major Championships | 6 |
| PGA TOUR Lowest Round | 60 |
His career record illustrates the difference between being a good professional golfer and being an elite one: Mickelson wasn’t merely capable of winning tournaments; he consistently contended across multiple decades.
How Many PGA TOUR Wins Does Phil Mickelson Have?
Phil Mickelson has 45 PGA TOUR wins.
His 45 victories came between 1991 and 2021, with the first coming as an amateur and his most recent PGA TOUR victory coming at the 2021 PGA Championship. The PGA TOUR currently lists 45 career victories.
His wins include some of the most prestigious tournaments in professional golf, particularly the Masters, PGA Championship and Open Championship.
Phil Mickelson Major Wins
Phil Mickelson has won six major championships during his career.
His six majors are:
| Year | Major | Result |
| 2004 | Masters Tournament | Winner |
| 2005 | PGA Championship | Winner |
| 2006 | Masters Tournament | Winner |
| 2010 | Masters Tournament | Winner |
| 2013 | The Open Championship | Winner |
| 2021 | PGA Championship | Winner |
Mickelson’s six major victories are one of the central reasons he is considered one of the greatest golfers of his generation.
Phil Mickelson Masters Wins
Mickelson won the Masters Tournament three times:
- 2004
- 2006
- 2010
His first Masters victory in 2004 was particularly significant because it ended a long wait for his first major championship.
He then successfully defended his reputation as one of Augusta National’s great players by winning again in 2006 and 2010.
Mickelson is one of only a select group of players to win the Masters at least three times.
Phil Mickelson PGA Championship Wins
Mickelson won the PGA Championship twice:
- 2005 – Baltusrol Golf Club
- 2021 – Kiawah Island
The 2021 victory was arguably the more historically significant of the two.
At 50 years old, Mickelson became the oldest major champion in men’s professional golf history.
Phil Mickelson Open Championship Win
Mickelson won the Open Championship in 2013 at Muirfield in Scotland.
The victory gave him the third different major championship of his career and demonstrated that his game could succeed on links golf courses as well as the American courses on which he had built much of his reputation.
Phil Mickelson and the U.S. Open
Interestingly, one major championship has consistently eluded Mickelson: the U.S. Open.
He has finished runner-up at the U.S. Open six times, making it one of the most famous near-misses in golf.
His second-place finishes came in:
- 1999
- 2002
- 2004
- 2006
- 2009
- 2013
The six runner-up finishes are a defining part of Mickelson’s major championship story. Despite winning the Masters, PGA Championship and Open Championship, he never managed to complete the career Grand Slam.
Phil Mickelson’s Playing Style
Mickelson became famous for his aggressive and creative approach to golf.
Rather than always choosing the safest shot, he frequently attempted difficult shots that could produce substantial rewards. This approach was particularly visible around the greens and when Mickelson attempted to shape shots around obstacles.
His short game became one of his greatest strengths. He developed a reputation for:
- Exceptional wedge play
- Creative recovery shots
- Aggressive driving
- Imaginative shot-making
- Strong putting performances
- Ability to escape difficult situations
His left-handed swing and distinctive playing style also made him instantly recognizable to golf fans.
Phil Mickelson and LIV Golf
In 2022, Mickelson became one of the most prominent players to join LIV Golf, becoming captain of HyFlyers GC. LIV Golf identifies him as a six-time major winner and 45-time PGA TOUR winner and notes that he made his LIV debut in 2022.
His move was significant because Mickelson was one of the biggest stars to leave the traditional PGA TOUR ecosystem for the new Saudi-backed golf league.
The move also changed the later chapter of his career.
Rather than competing regularly on the PGA TOUR, Mickelson became one of LIV Golf’s most recognizable veteran players and a central figure in the HyFlyers team.
Phil Mickelson LIV Golf Stats
Mickelson’s 2026 LIV Golf campaign has been considerably more limited than his previous seasons.
According to LIV Golf’s current player information, he made only one appearance during the 2026 season, finishing T48 at LIV Golf South Africa and earning 3.55 points.
LIV Golf currently lists him as the HyFlyers GC captain, with a 2026 season position of 65th and 3.55 points.
His limited participation is an important part of understanding why searches for Mickelson have increased again in 2026.
Why Is Phil Mickelson Trending?
The question “why is Phil Mickelson trending?” can have different answers depending on the date, but in 2026 his current playing status — and the circumstances surrounding it — has been the major source of attention.
Mickelson’s 2026 season has been unusual because he has competed very little. His only LIV Golf appearance listed for the season was the South Africa event in March, where he finished tied for 48th.
He subsequently missed the Masters and PGA Championship and was not included in the U.S. Open field. In June, he was also removed from the Open Championship playing field, meaning he would miss all four men’s major championships in 2026 for the first time in his professional career.
That development is particularly notable because Mickelson had been eligible for the Open Championship through his 2013 victory and remained eligible until age 60 under the event’s exemption provisions.
Mickelson’s camp has consistently attributed these absences to a family health matter. However, his reduced schedule has coincided with separate reporting that has significantly shaped why he is trending in 2026. In June, Golf Digest and other outlets reported that Mickelson had been removed as a member of a private golf club in the San Diego area after a female employee accused him of nonconsensual, inappropriate contact. Around the same time, an investigative report by writer Alan Shipnuck, published via Skratch, detailed a pattern of alleged inappropriate conduct dating back more than a decade and reported that Mickelson had departed or been removed from three separate golf clubs since 2021. Mickelson’s team has disputed the characterization of these events, with his lawyer stating that he resigned his club membership and has denied the allegations.
Key reasons for the renewed interest in Phil Mickelson include:
- His limited 2026 playing schedule
- His absence from all four major championships for the first time in his career
- Reports of misconduct allegations and his removal from a San Diego golf club, which his team disputes
- His continuing role as HyFlyers GC captain
- His status as one of LIV Golf’s most recognizable players
- The continuing interest in his historic six-major career
- The question of how much longer — and under what circumstances — he will return to competitive golf
At the same time, Mickelson remains connected to the next generation of players through his role with HyFlyers. Recent coverage of Michael La Sasso’s 2026 LIV victory highlighted Mickelson’s mentoring influence, even though Mickelson himself was absent from much of the season..
Phil Mickelson’s 2026 Season
Mickelson’s 2026 season has been markedly different from the peak years of his PGA TOUR career.
The current LIV Golf results show:
2026 LIV Golf South Africa: T48
That was his only listed LIV Golf appearance of the season.
His absence from the major championships made 2026 a particularly unusual year in his career. Golf Digest reported that it was the first time Mickelson would miss all four majors in his professional career.
This does not erase his historic accomplishments. Instead, it represents a significant transition from the highly competitive schedule that characterized much of his career.
Phil Mickelson Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup Record
Mickelson also has an extensive international team record.
He represented the United States in the Ryder Cup 12 times between 1995 and 2018.
He also made 12 Presidents Cup appearances between 1994 and 2017.
His longevity in these competitions is another indicator of his sustained status among America’s leading golfers.
Mickelson’s international career also included appearances in the Dunhill Cup and Walker Cup.
Phil Mickelson’s Amateur Achievements
Mickelson’s professional success sometimes overshadows just how impressive his amateur career was.
His major amateur accomplishments include:
- Three NCAA individual championships
- 1990 U.S. Amateur Championship
- Three Haskins Awards
- Multiple All-American selections
- 1991 PGA TOUR victory as an amateur
- 1990 NCAA team championship
Rolex describes his three NCAA championships and U.S. Amateur victory as important milestones in the development of his legendary career.
Phil Mickelson’s Highest World Ranking
Mickelson reached a career-high No. 2 in the Official World Golf Ranking.
He also spent more than 25 years inside the world’s top 50, according to Golf Channel’s summary of his Hall of Fame résumé.
That consistency is particularly impressive considering the strength of competition during his era, which included players such as Tiger Woods, Ernie Els, Vijay Singh and others.
Phil Mickelson’s Lowest PGA TOUR Round
Mickelson’s lowest recorded round on the PGA TOUR is 60.
He shot the 60 at the 2005 FBR Open. The round demonstrated the scoring ability that made him one of the most dangerous players when his game was firing on all cylinders.
Phil Mickelson Earnings
The PGA TOUR currently lists Mickelson’s official career PGA TOUR earnings at approximately $96.73 million.
This figure covers his official PGA TOUR earnings and should not be confused with his total career wealth or total compensation from other professional golf ventures.
His career earnings also increased substantially after joining LIV Golf, whose financial structure differs from that of the PGA TOUR. Recent reporting on LIV Golf’s first five seasons highlights the enormous sums generated by the league’s prize money, bonuses and team structures.
Phil Mickelson as a Golf Hall of Famer
Mickelson’s career achievements have firmly established him as one of the most accomplished golfers of his generation.
He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2012, before his later 2021 PGA Championship victory added another extraordinary chapter to his résumé.
His Hall of Fame case is built around several major accomplishments:
- 45 PGA TOUR victories
- Six major championships
- Three Masters victories
- Two PGA Championships
- One Open Championship
- 12 Ryder Cup appearances
- 12 Presidents Cup appearances
- Career-high No. 2 world ranking
- More than $96 million in official PGA TOUR earnings
- Historic 2021 PGA Championship victory
Phil Mickelson Legacy
Phil Mickelson’s legacy is more complicated than simply counting his tournament victories.
On the course, he established himself as one of the greatest American golfers of the modern era. His six major championships, 45 PGA TOUR victories and longevity make his statistical résumé difficult to overlook.
His 2021 PGA Championship victory arguably provided the defining image of his later career. At an age when most professional golfers have already retired, Mickelson produced a major championship performance that rewrote the record books.
Off the course, his decision to join LIV Golf in 2022 became one of the biggest developments in modern professional golf. His move helped establish LIV’s credibility as a destination for established golf stars and placed Mickelson at the center of the debate over the future structure of professional golf.
Today, his role is increasingly that of a veteran figure and team captain. Even when he is not competing regularly, his name continues to attract attention because of his extraordinary career and his position within the changing professional golf landscape.
Final Takeaway
Phil Mickelson has built one of the most distinguished careers in modern golf. From his extraordinary amateur record at Arizona State to 45 PGA TOUR victories and six major championships, his career spans more than three decades.
His three Masters victories, 2013 Open Championship and historic 2021 PGA Championship are central to his legacy. His decision to join LIV Golf subsequently made him one of the most influential and controversial figures in the sport’s ongoing transformation.
At 56 years old, Mickelson is now in a very different phase of his career. His reduced playing schedule and absence from the 2026 majors have prompted fresh questions about his future, but his place in golf history is already secure.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Phil Mickelson
Phil Mickelson is 56 years old as of August 2026. He was born on June 16, 1970, in San Diego, California.
Phil Mickelson has 45 PGA TOUR victories.
Phil Mickelson has won six major championships: three Masters, two PGA Championships and one Open Championship.
No. Mickelson has never won the U.S. Open. He finished runner-up six times.
He has won the Masters three times, in 2004, 2006 and 2010.
Phil Mickelson turned professional in 1992 after a highly successful amateur career.
Although Mickelson is right-handed in everyday activities, he learned to play golf left-handed by following his father’s right-handed golf swing. This led to his famous nickname, “Lefty.”
Yes. Mickelson remains a professional golfer and captain of HyFlyers GC in LIV Golf. However, his competitive schedule has become much more limited, particularly in 2026.
Mickelson reached No. 2 in the Official World Golf Ranking.
Interest in Mickelson in 2026 has been driven partly by his limited competitive schedule and his absence from all four major championships for the first time in his professional career, alongside continued interest in his role with LIV Golf and the HyFlyers.
His PGA TOUR career includes 45 wins, 138 top-five finishes, 198 top-10 finishes, 335 top-25 finishes and $96,727,968 in official earnings, according to the PGA TOUR.