Old Guys Rule! Phil Mickelson Wins PGA Championship at 50

The final round of the PGA Championship took place Sunday at the Ocean Course in Kiawah Island, and winner Phil Mickelson put on a performance that snagged him both the Wanamaker Trophy and a spot in golfing history.  

Lefty’s legacy continues.

50-year-old @PhilMickelson has won the #PGAChamp

He’s the oldest winner in major championship history. pic.twitter.com/QsPy1kRH3i

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 23, 2021

Lefty was must-see television all day at Kiawah Island, especially when he hoisted the Wanamaker Trophy for the second time in his career. 

Mickelson retained a lead going into both Saturday and today’s action, holding a one-shot advantage over Brooks Koepka as the two prepared for the final round. 

A highlight from Sunday occurred when the crowd went wild for Mickelson’s shot from the sand that traveled its way in:  

"OH MY GRACIOUS!"

PHIL JUST DID THAT. pic.twitter.com/wA3hu2cNxG

— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) May 23, 2021

Mickelson scored a 5-under after 36 holes to tie Louis Oosthuizen. The pressure of the moment may have had an influence on Oosthuizen, who put three into the water at the 13^th hole. Mickelson then put on a clinic, scoring four birdies by the tenth gap to take a four-shot lead over Oosthuizen. 

A sinking bogey on the 14^th cut Mickelson’s lead down to three, capping a rough stretch that included back-to-back bogeys.  

In the end, Mickelson finished 6-under and won with a two-shot victory over Koepka, who finished with a 74.

With today’s PGA win, Phil Mickelson now has six majors, which is 12^th all-time, and is now PGA’s oldest champion at 50 years old.  

After today’s performance by Mickelson, 50 may be the new 30.  

It was a remarkable, tense performance by the veteran golfer, whose cool demeanor since ‘92 carried him into a dominant performance in 2021, one that even Clay could not jinx: 

I’m probably jinxing him by even mentioning it, but Phil Mickelson winning the PGA at the age of fifty — eight years after his last major win — would be the most impressive golf accomplishment ever, right? What’s more impressive? Fire away with your nominees.

— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) May 23, 2021

Phil at nearly 51 — he turns 51 next month — is more impressive to me than 44 year old Tiger at the Masters. That seven years is pretty massive in the world of golf.

— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) May 23, 2021

Tom Watson winning the British would have been the most impressive major win ever, I think, but he faded late in 2009.

— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) May 23, 2021