Phil Mickelson became the oldest major champion in history at age 50 years, 11 months by winning the 2021 PGA Championship at Kiawah Island, South Carolina.
Historic Victory
On May 23, 2021, Mickelson shot -6 (282) to defeat Brooks Koepka and Louis Oosthuizen by two strokes. The victory came 16 years after his previous PGA Championship win (2005).
Mickelson’s final-round 73 held off younger competitors, with his short game mastery and experience navigating pressure.
Crowd Euphoria
Fans mobbed Mickelson on the 18th fairway before he hit his approach shot, celebrating the impending victory. The chaotic scene showed Mickelson’s popularity.
#PhilAtFifty trended globally, with golf fans celebrating the underdog story.
Age Record
Mickelson broke Julius Boros’ record (53 years, 1968 PGA Championship) as the oldest major winner. The record stood for 53 years.
The victory defied modern golf’s youth movement, with players like Collin Morikawa, Jon Rahm, and Dustin Johnson dominating in their 20s-30s.
Previous Close Calls
Mickelson had endured 11 runner-up finishes at majors before his first win (2004 Masters). He won six majors total: Masters (2004, 2006, 2010), PGA Championship (2005, 2021), The Open (2013).
The US Open remained his career missing piece, with six second-place finishes (including 2006 collapse and 2013 near-miss).
LIV Golf Fallout
Months after the win, Mickelson’s reputation collapsed when he advocated for the Saudi-backed LIV Golf league, calling Saudis “scary m-----f------” but worth partnering with for leverage against the PGA Tour.
He joined LIV Golf in June 2022 for a reported $200 million, becoming the face of the controversial breakaway league. The PGA Tour suspended him.
Public Backlash
Mickelson’s comments about Saudi Arabia’s human rights abuses (“I know they killed [Jamal] Khashoggi”) while accepting their money drew outrage. Sponsors KPMG, Amstel Light, and Workday dropped him.
#PhilTheHypocrite trended, with fans feeling betrayed by his greed masquerading as player advocacy.
PGA Tour Ban & Legacy
The PGA Tour banned LIV golfers from its events, excluding Mickelson from tournaments where he built his legacy. The 2021 PGA Championship became his final major appearance on good terms.
2023 Ryder Cup Exclusion
Despite qualifying on points, Mickelson was excluded from the 2023 US Ryder Cup team due to LIV Golf involvement. His Ryder Cup career (1995-2021, 12 appearances) ended unceremoniously.
Gambling Revelations
Reports emerged in 2023 that Mickelson had gambling losses exceeding $100 million over three decades, explaining his financial desperation for LIV Golf’s payday despite reputational damage.
Attempt at Redemption
Mickelson’s 2024 LIV Golf performances were mediocre, with no wins and declining finishes. His attempt to remain competitive at age 53+ while preserving legacy failed.
Legacy Split
Pre-LIV Phil (fan favorite, underdog, thrilling style) vs. Post-LIV Phil (greedy, hypocritical, Saudi apologist) created a split legacy.
The 2021 PGA Championship remains his career highlight—a fairytale ending that was subsequently tarnished by his own choices.
Cultural Impact
#PhilMickelson50 symbolizes age-defying achievement in sports but also cautionary tale about money corrupting legacy. The 2021 win should have been a triumphant final chapter; instead, it became a footnote before controversy.
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