Phil Mickelson is one of golf’s most exciting and beloved players. With his big smile, daring shots, and fantastic career, “Lefty” has captured the hearts of millions of fans around the world.
But how many major championships has he actually won? The answer might surprise you.
This blog will walk you through all of Phil Mickelson’s primary wins, from his breakthrough moment to his record-breaking victory at age 50.
You’ll learn about the stories behind each triumph, and find out which major championship still escapes him. Even if you’re a die-hard golf fan or just getting to know the sport, Phil’s career is one worth knowing.
Phil Mickelson’s Major Wins
Phil Mickelson has won six majors. These victories are spread across three of golf’s four major championships: 3 Masters wins, 2 PGA Championships, and 1 Open Championship.
Phil Mickelson’s Major Championship Wins
| Year | Major Championship | Course | Total Wins in That Major |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Masters Tournament | Augusta National | 1st Masters win |
| 2005 | PGA Championship | Baltusrol | 1st PGA win |
| 2006 | Masters Tournament | Augusta National | 2nd Masters win |
| 2010 | Masters Tournament | Augusta National | 3rd Masters win |
| 2013 | The Open Championship | Muirfield | 1st Open win |
| 2021 | PGA Championship | Kiawah Island | 2nd PGA win |
What makes this even more impressive is that Phil captured these wins across three different decades, the 2000s, 2010s, and 2020s. That kind of longevity is rare in professional golf.
Phil Mickelson Major Wins: The Complete Story
Now that you know the quick answer, let’s explore each of Phil Mickelson’s primary wins in detail. Every victory has its own special story and shows different sides of what makes “Lefty” such a beloved golfer.
2004 Masters: The Breakthrough Moment
For years, Phil Mickelson was known as the “best player never to win a major.” That all changed in April 2004 at Augusta National.
At age 33, Phil finally broke through with his first major championship. The win came after years of close calls and heartbreaking losses.
When he sank the winning putt on the 18th green, the emotion was evident. Phil leaped into the air, arms raised, finally shedding the label that had followed him for so long.
Why this Win Mattered:
- Ended 12 years of waiting since turning pro
- Changed his legacy from “great player without a major” to “major champion.”
- Showed he could handle the pressure when it mattered most
This victory opened the floodgates. Once Phil knew he could win a major, he believed he could win more.
2005 PGA Championship: Proving It Wasn’t a Fluke
Just over a year later, Phil won again. This time it was at the PGA Championship at Baltusrol Golf Club in New Jersey.
This win was important because it proved the 2004 Masters wasn’t just a one-time thing. Phil was now officially one of the best players in the world.
The victory came with impressive ball-striking and his trademark creativity around the greens.
Winning a second major so quickly after his first showed that Phil had truly arrived as a dominant force in golf. Fans and fellow players now saw him as someone who would likely win many more majors.
2006 Masters: Back to Augusta’s Familiar Fairways
Two years after his first green jacket, Phil slipped on a second one. Augusta National was becoming his favorite playground.
The course fit Phil’s game perfectly. His creativity, shot-making ability, and excellent short game gave him an edge on Augusta’s tricky greens and challenging pin positions.
While other players might play it safe, Phil would attempt daring shots that thrilled the crowds.
Why Augusta Suited Phil:
- The course rewards creativity and imagination
- Phil’s excellent short game handled the slick greens
- Risk-taking shots could pay off big
- The atmosphere brought out his best golf
With two green jackets now hanging in his closet, Phil was cementing himself as one of Augusta’s modern masters.
2010 Masters: Three Green Jackets and Counting
Four years later, Phil returned to the winner’s circle at Augusta once more. This third Master’s win made him one of only a few players in history to win the tournament three or more times.
The 2010 victory was especially emotional. Phil’s wife, Amy, had been battling breast cancer, and she was there to celebrate with him after his final putt dropped.
The image of them embracing behind the 18th green remains one of golf’s most touching moments.
This win showed Phil’s mental strength. Even with personal challenges off the course, he could still perform at the highest level when it mattered most.
2013 Open Championship: Conquering Muirfield
Phil had conquered Augusta National, but he still needed to win on different types of courses to prove he was a complete champion. In 2013, he did exactly that at The Open Championship.
Playing at Muirfield in Scotland, Phil faced the challenge of links golf, a completely different style from the tree-lined beauty of Augusta.
Links courses feature firm fairways, deep bunkers, and unpredictable wind that can change everything in minutes.
On the final day, Phil fired a brilliant 66 to claim the Claret Jug. The final-round charge showed he could adapt his game to any course and any conditions.
What Made this Win Special:
- First (and so far only) Open Championship win
- Proved he could win on links courses
- Amazing final-round performance under pressure
- Added a fourth different major venue to his resume
The 2013 Open Championship win showed that Phil wasn’t just an Augusta specialist; he was a true major champion who could win anywhere.
2021 PGA Championship: Making History at 50
If someone told you an athlete could make history at age 50, you might not believe them. But that’s precisely what Phil Mickelson did in May 2021 at the Ocean Course on Kiawah Island.
At 50 years old, Phil became the oldest player ever to win a men’s major championship. The previous record had stood for decades, and many thought it would never be broken.
The week at Kiawah Island was magical. Crowds surrounded Phil everywhere he went, chanting “Lefty! Lefty!” as he walked the fairways. When he walked up the 18th hole with the win secured, fans engulfed him in celebration.
Why this Win Got People’s Hearts:
- Broke the age record by a significant margin
- Showed that age is just a number
- Inspired golfers everywhere to keep competing
- Created one of golf’s most memorable moments
The 2021 PGA Championship win proved that Phil Mickelson’s career was anything but ordinary. While most golfers wind down in their 40s, Phil was still making history in his 50s.
What Major Has Phil Mickelson NOT Won?
Despite six major championships, Phil Mickelson is missing one crucial piece: the U.S. Open.
This missing major is particularly painful because Phil has come so close so many times. He has finished as the runner-up at the U.S. Open six times:
- 1999
- 2002
- 2004
- 2006
- 2009
- 2013
That’s six heartbreaking second-place finishes at his home country’s national championship. Some of these losses were especially tough to swallow, coming down to final-hole mistakes or other players making amazing shots to beat him.
If Phil had won just one U.S. Open, he would have completed the career Grand Slam. The career Grand Slam means winning all four major championships at least once during your career.
Only five players in history have achieved this feat: Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods.
The U.S. Open remains the one that got away for Phil. But it doesn’t diminish what he’s accomplished. Six majors and three green jackets make him one of the greatest players ever, Grand Slam or not.
Phil Mickelson: Career Overview and Achievements
Understanding Phil’s major wins is one thing, but his entire career tells an even bigger story.
The Basics About Phil
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Philip Alfred Mickelson |
| Born | June 16, 1970 (San Diego, California) |
| Turned professional | 1992 |
| College | Arizona State University (where he won three NCAA individual championships) |
Phil is known for his big smile, his willingness to sign autographs for fans, and his aggressive style of play. He’s never afraid to take risks, which has led to both spectacular victories and occasional spectacular failures.
A fun fact: he is also called “Lefty” (because he plays golf left-handed, even though he’s naturally right-handed in everything else).
Career Wins and Records
Phil’s success goes way beyond his six major championships:
Total PGA Tour wins: 45
This puts him among the top winners in PGA Tour history. Only a handful of players have won more tournaments than Phil.
Champions Tour success: After turning 50, Phil started playing on the PGA Tour Champions (for players 50 and older) and won multiple tournaments there, too.
Hall of Fame: Phil was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame, recognizing his place among the sport’s all-time greats.
Ryder Cup: Phil has represented the United States in the Ryder Cup many times, showing his competitive spirit in team events.
What Makes Phil’s Career Unique
Several things set Phil Mickelson apart from other great golfers:
1. Longevity and Late-Career Success
Most golfers peak in their 30s or early 40s. Phil won his last major at 50, proving he could compete with players half his age. This kind of longevity is almost unheard of in professional golf.
2. Playing Style
Phil is known as one of golf’s most exciting players to watch. He attempts shots that other players wouldn’t dare try. Sometimes these shots lead to disaster, but other times they lead to magic that gets fans on their feet.
3. Connection with Fans
Phil has always been a fan favorite. He signs autographs, interacts with crowds, and shows genuine emotion on the course. His “thumbs up” gesture after making a great shot has become iconic.
4. Versatility
Winning majors at Augusta National (a traditional parkland course), Baltusrol (a classic championship course), Muirfield (a links course), and Kiawah Island (a brutal coastal course) shows that Phil can adapt to any golf course style.
5. The Short Game
Phil’s ability around the greens is legendary. His “flop shot”, a high, soft shot that lands gently on the green, has become his signature move. Many consider him the best short-game player of his generation.
At the End
Phil Mickelson’s six major championships tell a story of determination, skill, and never giving up.
From finally breaking through at age 33 to making history at age 50, Phil has shown that greatness can happen at any stage of life.
Sure, the U.S. Open remains the one missing piece in his collection. But that doesn’t take away from what Phil has accomplished.
His exciting style of play, his connection with fans, and his willingness to take risks make him one of the most memorable golfers ever. Phil Mickelson proves that with passion and strong will, amazing things are possible.
Want to learn more about golf’s greatest players and their incredible stories? Check out our other articles and keep following the game you love!
