Phil Mickelson
Residence: Rancho Santa Fe, California
DOB: 16/06/1970
Phil Mickelson, shown booming his 8.5 degree Callaway Big Bertha FT-5 down the fairway at the World Golf Championships at Doral Resort, was for a long time saddled with the dreaded title of ‘Best player never to win a Major’. Now, with an enormous PGA Championship trophy sitting on the Mickelson mantel place and 2 Green Jackets in the closet, he is considered to be one of the best golfers of his generation. Known mostly for his enviable knack to get ‘up and down’ from almost anywhere using the ‘Phil Flop Shot’, the powerful ‘Lefty’ is a threat every time he tees up.
Naturally right-handed, Phil only plays golf left-handed after mirroring his father’s swing when 18 months old and latterly could not be persuaded to play perhaps his natural, right-handed way. Already swinging a cut-down club in the back garden of his modest San Diego home, aged 3 he tried to run away because his parents didn't think he was old enough to play at the local course.
Phil made his professional debut at the 1992 US Open having already won the 1991 Northern Telecom Open as an amateur. Now, 16 years later, he is tied in 13th place on the all-time PGA Tour wins list with 34. Along with this, Phil can boast an outstanding major record. He was the best player in both The Masters and US Open between 2003-08 with 2 wins (2004 and 06 Masters), 3 second places and 3 third places as well as winning the 2006 PGA Championship. Phil is also the only US player to feature in all 7 Presidents Cup and the last 8 Ryder Cup matches.
Phil hit the ground running in 2008, bagging a win (Northern Trust Open) and a 2nd place by mid-February. A second win came in May when he won the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial, birdying the last to beat Tim Clark and Rod Pampling to the crown. ‘Major Phil’ was as consistent as ever in this year’s blue ribbon events, finishing in the top 20 in each of the tournaments. Capping off the year with victory in the Ryder Cup, securing 2 points from his 5 matches at Valhalla, Phil has taken $5,188,875 to the bank and finishes the year as World #2.
Phil Mickelson Club History
Below is a selection of clubs used by Phil Mickelson throughout his career
2010
Callaway Big Bertha Diablo Neutral Fairway
£89.00
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Callaway Tour Authentic X Muscle Prototype Irons
£516.00
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2008
Callaway Tour Authentic X Muscle Prototype Irons
£516.00
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2007
Callaway Big Bertha Heavenwood Hybrid Fairway
£49.00
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Phil Mickelson Tournament History
2008 The PGA Championship |
7-10 August - PGA Championship - Oakland Hills. Padraig Harrington secured his 3rd Major Championship in 13 months at the 90th PGA Championship. With an incredible 8-under mark over the final 36 holes thanks to matching 4-under-par 66’s, Harrington posted a 3-under, 277, total for a 2 stroke victory ahead of Sergio Garcia and Ben Curtis. It was the Irishman's 2nd major win in just 3 weeks. Interestingly, it seemed as though Harrington was ready to throw in the towel after a 4-over 74 in the 2nd round put him at +5 for the tournament. |
In Phil Mickelson's bag...A level par (70) final round saw Phil cap of an excellent week with another top-10 in the final major of the season. Phil is known for tinkering with his bag set-up, famously taking 2 drivers out at the US Open. In our photo we can see that Phil decided on only the single Callaway FT-5 driver and X-Tour 3 wood. It can also be seen that Phil was using a combination of irons; Callaway Golf X-Forged and Tour Authentic X-Prototype Irons. Phil is most famous however for carrying a number of different wedges. This week he was carrying his usual 64˚ 'magic stick' along with a 52˚ X-Tour wedge.
(CLICK ON IMAGES TO SEE FULL SIZE VERSION). |
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2008 Arnold Palmer Invitational |
13-16 March - Arnold Palmer Invitational - Bay Hill Club and Lodge. In typical Tiger fashion, the world #1 sank a 24-foot putt on the 72nd hole at Bay Hill for his fifth consecutive win, much to the annoyance of Bart Bryant who was looking for his first win since 2005. This was his biggest challenge since this streak began 7 months ago, Woods outlasted 45-year-old Bart Bryant and won with a birdie putt on the 72nd hole for the first time in 7 years. He turned and slammed his cap to the ground, letting out a roar to celebrate his 64th career victory, tying Ben Hogan at #3 on the PGA Tour career list. |
In Phil Mickelson's bag...In Leftys bag at the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hil in March 2008, we can see he is using Callaway protoype forged irons. No doubt coming to a dealer near you soon....
(CLICK ON IMAGES TO SEE FULL SIZE VERSION). |
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2007 The Players Championship |
10-13 May - The Players Championship - TPC at Sawgrass - Stadium Course. The Players Championship (TPC) has for a long time been considered golf’s ‘5th’ Major because of the traditionally very strong field – typically the top 50 players in the world congregate to battle it out for the huge prize money. The victor this time was Phil Mickelson who, helped by Tiger’s old coach, Butch Harmon, bagged the $1.62m first prize and the 31st PGA Tour victory of his career after finishing with a 3-under 69 and a two-stroke victory over Sergio Garcia. Stewart Cink and Jose Maria Olazabal a further stroke back tied 3rd. The Stadium course is famous for its tiny island green on the par 3 17th – which this time proved a watery grave for a record 94 golf balls (it’s not just us handicappers who end up in the drink). This was Mickelson’s first victory at the TPC after 14 attempts. |
In Phil Mickelson's bag...Lefty has taken to using two drivers and in our photo from the TPC - where he won the $1.6m first prize - you can see him unsheathing the new Callaway square FT-i driver. We think the rest of the kit is the same as at Bay Hill - Callaway 2H and 3H Heaven Wood hybrid woods, X-Forged irons, X Tour 13 degree fairway wood, X-Tour wedges and White Hot XG #9 putter
(CLICK ON IMAGES TO SEE FULL SIZE VERSION). |
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2007 Arnold Palmer Invitational |
15-18 March - Arnold Palmer Invitational - Bay Hill Clubs and Lodge. After three runners-up spots at Bay Hill, Vijay Singh finally put the doubts to rest by banking the $990,000 first prize – and logging the 31st win of his career – in doing so equalling Harry Copper’s record for the most number of PGA Tour victories by a foreign-born player. For those amongst us of a certain age, we can take comfort from the fact that Vijay has won an astonishing 19 of those victories since turning 40. There is hope for us yet! |
In Phil Mickelson's bag...In Phil's bag at Bay Hill we can see his Callaway X-Tour irons - and on the right of the bag, his Callaway X-Tour wedges - he uses a 52, 56 and for those special Phil flot-shots, a 60 degree. Underneath the headcovers lurk an 8.5 degree FT-5 driver (as seen in the biog photo), a Callaway 2H FT Hybrid utility wood, a Callaway X-Series 13 degree 3 wood and under the Phil Mickelson headcover, an Odyssey White Hot XG #9 putter.
(CLICK ON IMAGES TO SEE FULL SIZE VERSION). |
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