Phil Mickelson has long been one of golf's most compelling figures — a left-handed genius whose aggressive style, short-game wizardry, and emotional highs and lows have captivated fans for decades. Over the course of his Hall of Fame career, Mickelson has won five major championships, each victory etched into the sport's history with its own unique drama. From his long-awaited breakthrough at Augusta National to his stunning final round at Royal Liverpool, Mickelson's major wins showcase a player who thrived under pressure and redefined what was possible with a golf club. Let's revisit each of these iconic moments in detail.

The Breakthrough: 2004 Masters

The Weight of Expectation

For years, Phil Mickelson was known as the best player without a major championship. He had finished second in four majors prior to 2004, including a painful runner-up at the 2001 PGA Championship and a final-round collapse at the 1999 U.S. Open. The monkey on his back was heavy, and the question of whether he could close a major haunted him. All that changed at the 2004 Masters.

Mickelson entered the final round at Augusta National trailing by one shot, but his iconic left-handed swing was dialed in. He shot a flawless final-round 66 — the lowest final round by a champion in Masters history at the time — to win by one stroke over Ernie Els. The defining image came at the 18th green, where Mickelson sank a 10-foot birdie putt and leaped into the air, arms raised, as the crowd erupted. It was a moment of pure catharsis, not just for Mickelson but for the legion of fans who had watched him come so close so many times. In that instant, he shed the label of "best without a major" and cemented his place among the game's greats. The 2004 Masters remains one of the most emotional victories in golf history.

First Lefty to Win the PGA: 2005 PGA Championship

Baltusrol's Test

Just 14 months after his Masters breakthrough, Mickelson earned his second major at the 2005 PGA Championship, held at Baltusrol Golf Club in New Jersey. This win was historic for another reason: Mickelson became the first left-handed player ever to win the PGA Championship. The tournament featured a star-studded leaderboard, including Tiger Woods, Vijay Singh, and defending champion David Toms. Mickelson entered the final round tied for the lead but delivered a masterclass in clutch putting.

The Clutch Putt

His final round 66 included a remarkable birdie on the 18th hole, where he curled in a 10-footer that capped off a 72-hole total of 15-under-par. The putt sealed a one-stroke victory over Steve Thomas and Denmark’s Thomas Bjørn. Beyond the stats, this win demonstrated Mickelson's growing comfort as a champion. He no longer looked like a player fighting nerves; he looked like a man who belonged in the pantheon of major winners. The victory also silenced critics who wondered if his Masters win was a fluke — here was a player who could win on different courses and under different conditions.

Second Green Jacket: 2006 Masters

The Record Round

When Phil Mickelson arrived at the 2006 Masters, he already had two major titles, but he was hungry for more. Augusta National was playing firm and fast, and the field included a surging Tiger Woods, who had rallied to win the 2005 Masters. Mickelson, however, was playing some of the best golf of his life. He opened with rounds of 70, 72, and 70 to trail by one, then unleashed a stunning final round 67 that included an eagle on the 13th hole, a chip-in birdie on the 14th, and a gutsy par save on the 17th.

Dominance on the Back Nine

His total of 18-under-par 270 set a new tournament record at the time, and his final-round charge featured a remarkable stretch of six birdies in eight holes. The defining moment came when Mickelson holed a delicate bunker shot on the 18th to preserve his lead. As the ball dropped, he let out a roar that echoed through the Georgia pines. This win was special because it was his second Masters in three years — a feat that placed him among the most dominant players of the era. It also showcased his ability to go low when it mattered most, proving that his 2004 victory was no accident.

Third Green Jacket: 2010 Masters

A Year of Personal Struggle

After a four-year drought without a major (including a heartbreaking loss at the 2009 U.S. Open), Mickelson arrived at the 2010 Masters with his wife Amy battling breast cancer. The personal stakes were immense, and the golf world watched with bated breath. Mickelson played with emotion and resolve, producing some of the most audacious shots of his career. On the 13th hole in the final round, he faced a treacherous shot from the pine straw behind the 13th green — a gap wedge from a downhill lie over Rae’s Creek. He pulled it off perfectly, stuffing the ball to three feet for a tap-in eagle.

The Emotional Finish

Then came the 18th, where he drained a birdie putt to win by three strokes over Lee Westwood. It was his third Masters victory in seven years, and it was perhaps the most meaningful, given the personal challenges he was navigating. The images of Mickelson hugging his wife and children on the 18th green remain among the most poignant in sports. This win cemented his reputation as a player who thrived when the pressure was highest, and it added a layer of humanity to his already compelling legacy.

The Claret Jug: 2013 Open Championship

The one major that had always eluded Phil Mickelson was the Open Championship. His record on links courses was uneven, and many doubted whether his high-ball flight and aggressive style could handle the low, running shots required across the pond. All that changed at Royal Liverpool in 2013. Mickelson entered the final round trailing by one but produced a masterful display of links golf. He shot a bogey-free 66, highlighted by a brilliant eagle on the 16th hole where he holed a 30-foot putt across the green.

A Bogey-Free Masterclass

His total of 11-under-par won by three strokes over Lee Westwood and Sweden's Henrik Stenson. The victory was remarkable not just for the score, but for how he dismantled the course. Mickelson used almost every club in the bag, hitting low stinger drivers, punch shots, and delicate chips with equal precision. The win gave him the third leg of the career Grand Slam, leaving only the U.S. Open to complete the set. It also silenced any doubts about his ability to win outside the United States. Mickelson's Open Championship was a testament to his adaptability and his refusal to be defined by conventional wisdom.

The Near Misses and the Unthinkable: 2021 PGA Championship

The Heartbreaks

No account of Mickelson's major career would be complete without mentioning the near misses that defined him. The 1999 U.S. Open at Pinehurst saw him hold a share of the lead before a final-round 70 left him one back of Payne Stewart. At the 2006 U.S. Open at Winged Foot, he infamously double-bogeyed the 72nd hole to hand the title to Geoff Ogilvy. The 2013 U.S. Open at Merion saw him finish runner-up to Justin Rose, and the 2016 Open Championship featured one of the greatest duels in history as he shot a final-round 65 but lost to Henrik Stenson's record-breaking 63. These moments of heartbreak made his triumphs even sweeter and endeared him to fans who admired his resilience.

The Impossible Dream

Just when it seemed Mickelson's major-winning days were behind him, he delivered the most shocking victory of his career at the 2021 PGA Championship. At 50 years old, he became the oldest player in history to win a major championship, surpassing Julius Boros. Held at the Ocean Course at Kiawah Island, the tournament was a brutal test of wind and nerves. Mickelson entered the final round tied for the lead with Brooks Koepka and Louis Oosthuizen, two of the game's most fearsome competitors. He shot a steady 73, grinding out pars while his challengers faltered down the stretch. The image of Mickelson raising the Wanamaker Trophy at age 50 is perhaps the most fitting capstone to a career defined by defying expectations. It proved that his talent and competitive fire were timeless.

A Legacy of Major Moments

The Rivalries and The Impact

Phil Mickelson's five major championships represent far more than a collection of trophies. They tell the story of a player who overcame personal and professional obstacles, who reinvented his game multiple times, and who thrilled fans with his creativity and nerve. His rivalry with Tiger Woods defined an era, pushing both players to new heights. His battles with Ernie Els, Vijay Singh, and Henrik Stenson produced some of the most memorable final rounds in the sport's history. Beyond the competition, Mickelson inspired a generation of left-handed golfers and showed that an aggressive, high-risk style could succeed at the highest level.

The Numbers and The Memories

His 2004 Masters broke a mental barrier; his 2005 PGA Championship proved he was a legitimate great; his 2006 Masters showed he could go low; his 2010 Masters touched the heart; his 2013 Open Championship added a new dimension to his game; and his 2021 PGA Championship defied Father Time. Each victory added a new chapter to a career that has been one of the most entertaining in golf history.

  • 2004 Masters – first major, emotional breakthrough, final round 66
  • 2005 PGA Championship – first left-handed winner of the PGA, clutch putting
  • 2006 Masters – record 18-under, dominant final nine
  • 2010 Masters – personal triumph amid family illness, epic eagle on 13
  • 2013 Open Championship – first Claret Jug, links masterclass
  • 2021 PGA Championship – oldest major winner in history (age 50)

Mickelson's ability to produce unforgettable moments under golf's brightest lights ensures his major victories will be celebrated for generations. To learn more about his career, explore Phil Mickelson's official PGA Tour profile or read his Masters tournament history on the official Masters site. For a deeper look at his Open Championship win, visit The Open's history page. His legacy is not just in the numbers but in the joy and passion he brought to every major Sunday.