Philip Alfred Mickelson (born June 16, 1970) is an American professional golfer. He has won four major championships and a total of 39 events on the PGA Tour. He has reached a career high world ranking of 2nd in multiple years. He is nicknamed "Lefty" for his left-handed swing, even though he is otherwise right-handed.
Mickelson was elected into the World Golf Hall of Fame in November 2011 and will be inducted in May 2012. On April 11, 2010, Mickelson won the 2010 Masters Tournament with a 16-under-par performance, giving him a three-stroke win over Lee Westwood in Augusta, Georgia. The win marked the third Masters victory for Mickelson and his fourth major championship overall.
Mickelson started his season at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines Golf Course. He shot 3 rounds of 67-69-68 and was tied for the 54 hole lead with Bill Haas. Mickelson needed to hole out on the 18th hole for eagle from 74 yards to force a playoff with Bubba Watson. He hit it to 4 feet and Watson won the tournament.
On April 3, 2011, Mickelson won the Shell Houston Open with a 20-under-par performance, giving him a three-stroke win over Scott Verplank. Mickelson rose to No. 3 in the world ranking, while Tiger Woods fell to No. 7. Mickelson had not been ranked above Woods since the week prior to the 1997 Masters Tournament.
At the 2011 Open Championship, Mickelson recorded just his second top-ten finish in 18 tries at this major by tying for second with Dustin Johnson. His front nine 30 put him briefly in a tie for the lead with eventual champion Darren Clarke. However, his putter betrayed him and he faded down the stretch to finish in a tie for second.
At the 2011 Deutsche Bank Championship, Mickelson began using a belly putter. The putter is an Odyssey Sabertooth with a White Hot XG insert. Mickelson has been receiving advice from 2011 PGA Champion Keegan Bradley on technique with a belly putter.
Phil Mickelson
Phil Mickelson
Phil Mickelson
Phil Mickelson
Phil Mickelson
Phil Mickelson
Phil Mickelson
Phil Mickelson
Phil Mickelson
Phil Mickelson
