"51-Year-Old Mickelson Creates New History"..."Oldest Major Winner" (Summary)

103rd PGA Championship Final Day 1 Over Par '2-Stroke Victory', 45th Career Win Including 6 Major Titles, 'Major Man' Kepka Tied for 2nd Place

Phil Mickelson is holding the trophy and posing for a commemorative photo immediately after winning the 103rd PGA Championship. Kiawah Island (South Carolina, USA) = Getty Images / Photo by Multibits

[Asia Economy Golf Specialist Reporter Kim Hyun-jun] "Oldest major winner."

The ‘51-year-old veteran’ Phil Mickelson (USA) made new history. On the 24th (Korean time), at the Ocean Course (par 72, 7,876 yards) on Kiawah Island, South Carolina, USA, the final day of the 103rd PGA Championship (total prize money $12 million) ended with Mickelson scoring 1-over par to secure a 2-stroke victory (6-under par 282). This marks his 45th PGA Tour win, his first in 2 years and 3 months since the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in February 2019, with a winner’s prize of $2.16 million (24.35 billion KRW).

Mickelson was born in June 1970. Most notably, he became the first-ever major champion in his 50s, surpassing Julius Boros (USA, 48 years 4 months) who won this tournament in 1968. Since winning the Northern Telecom as an amateur in January 1991, he has reached 45 wins over a span of 30 years and 4 months, breaking Raymond Floyd’s (USA) longest winning span record of 28 years and 11 months. He also achieved a top-10 finish for 30 consecutive seasons, the third longest in history.

Mickelson is a ‘golf prodigy’ who picked up a golf club at 18 months old. Although right-handed, he plays left-handed. Due to the ‘mirror effect’ while playing golf facing his father Jim Mickelson, a Navy pilot, he became a left-handed golfer. Overshadowed by Tiger Woods (USA), he ironically has fewer trophies. He has 37 runner-up finishes and 26 third-place finishes. His major wins include 3 Masters titles (2004, 2006, 2020), The Open Championship (2013), and 2 PGA Championships (2005, 2021), totaling 6 major victories.

Phil Mickelson is cheering at the moment his victory is confirmed on the 18th hole of the final day of the 103rd PGA Championship. Kiawah Island (South Carolina, USA) = Getty Images / MultiVitz

Starting the day one stroke ahead, Mickelson combined 5 birdies and 6 bogeys. His resilience was evident as he maintained the top of the leaderboard throughout in strong winds, especially his excellent ‘bounce-back’ ability to immediately recover with a birdie after a bogey. At the crucial 17th hole (par 3), when his tee shot landed deep in the greenside rough, he skillfully escaped with a bogey. He sealed the tournament with a ‘2-on 2-putt’ par on the final 18th hole (par 4).

The chase by ‘major man’ Brooks Koepka (USA) was halted with a 2-over par round, finishing tied for 2nd place (4-under par 284). With 4 major wins among his 8 career victories and having successfully defended this tournament in 2018-2019, it was a disappointing outcome. ‘Shrek’ Louis Oosthuizen (South Africa) tied for 2nd, while defending champion Collin Morikawa (USA) and world No. 3 Jon Rahm (Spain) shared 8th place (1-under par 287).

Korea’s Im Sung-jae (23, CJ Logistics) finished tied for 17th (even par 288). He made 3 birdies but suffered double bogeys on holes 12 and 13 after his second shots repeatedly landed in the water. Jordan Spieth (USA)’s bid for his sixth ‘career Grand Slam’ ended tied for 30th (2-over par 290). After winning three different majors?the Masters in April 2015, the US Open in June 2015, and The Open Championship in 2017?his fifth chance slipped away.

Phil Mickelson is sharing his joy with his caddie immediately after winning the 103rd PGA Championship. Kiawah Island (South Carolina, USA) = Getty Images / Multivitz Photo by Multivitz

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