Phil Mickelson is one of the most recognized players in golf history. Fans know him for his left-handed swing, fearless shot choices, and a career that has lasted for decades.
Many people still ask one clear question: How Many Majors Has Phil Mickelson Won?
That question often leads readers to learn more about his full journey in the sport.
In this article, you’ll learn about Phil Mickelson’s major championship wins, including the years he won and the tournaments that defined his career.
I will share the key moments, close finishes, and how his achievements stack up against those of other great golfers.
You will learn why his wins still matter and how his career evolved over time.
If you follow golf or are just getting started, this guide will give you a simple and complete look at one of the game’s most talked-about players.
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.
Phil Mickelson vs Other Golf Legends
Phil’s numbers show a career built on longevity, late success, and staying competitive across generations.
| Golfer | Majors Won | PGA Tour Wins | Career Span | Notable Strength |
| Jack Nicklaus | 18 | 73 | 1960s–1980s | Consistency in majors |
| Tiger Woods | 15 | 82 | 1990s–2020s | Dominance and peak performance |
| Phil Mickelson | 6 | 45 | 1990s–2020s | Longevity and short game |
| Rory McIlroy | 4 | 24 | 2010s–Present | Power and ball striking |
| Brooks Koepka | 5 | 9 | 2010s–Present | Major championship focus |
| Gary Player | 9 | 24 | 1950s–1970s | Fitness and global success |
| Arnold Palmer | 7 | 62 | 1950s–1970s | Popularity and influence |
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.
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).
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) |
Career Wins and LIV Golf
Phil’s success goes far beyond his six major championships.
- PGA Tour wins: 45, placing him among the most successful players in tour history
- Ryder Cup: Multiple appearances representing the United States
- Hall of Fame: Inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame
After turning 50, Phil joined the PGA Tour Champions and won events there as well. In 2022, he became one of the headline players to join LIV Golf.
Since then, he has continued competing at a high level, leading teams and playing a limited but active tournament schedule.
Today, Phil focuses on LIV Golf events while still being closely connected to the sport’s biggest conversations.
What Makes Phil’s Career Unique?
Several things set Phil Mickelson apart from other great golfers:
- Longevity and Late-Career Success: Most golfers peak in their 30s or 40s, but Phil won a major at 50, showing rare longevity in golf.
- Playing Style: Phil is one of golf’s most exciting players, known for trying shots others avoid. Sometimes these shots lead to disaster, but other times they lead to magic that gets fans on their feet.
- 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.
- Versatility: Winning majors at Augusta, Baltusrol, Muirfield, and Kiawah Island shows Phil can adapt to any course style.
- 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 career shows how much timing, patience, and adaptability matter in golf. His six major wins did not come in one quick stretch.
They came over many years, on very different courses, and under very different pressures.
Winning at Augusta multiple times showed his creativity, while victories at Muirfield and Kiawah Island proved he could adjust his game when conditions demanded it.
The missing U.S. Open reminds us how narrow the margins are at the top level, where one shot can change everything.
Even so, Phil’s record reflects consistency, smart risk-taking, and a deep understanding of the game.
