Photo: Stan Badz/PGA TOUR via Getty; Ezra Shaw/Getty; Andrew
Notable figures in the sports world are sending praise and celebratory messages toPhil Mickelson, who became the oldest golfer to ever win a PGA Tour major on Sunday.
Mickelson, 50, took home the Wanamaker Trophy and his sixth major win at the PGA Championship at Kiawah Island Golf Resort’s Ocean Course in South Carolina.
“Truly inspirational to see@PhilMickelsondo it again at 50 years of age. Congrats!!!!!!!,“Tiger Woodswrote on Twitter, to which Mickelson responded, “Thank you. I’m pulling for your quick return.” (Woods was injured in a car accident earlier this year.)
Jack Nicklaus — who holds the title of the oldest Master’s winner, which he secured at age 46 — sent his congratulations to Mickelson in a video shared to Twitter. “Fantastic golf this week. You played great, you didn’t make any dumb mistakes. My congratulations to you and you know, something sort of strikes me that 50 years old is older than 46. Well done, my friend,” said Nicklaus, 81.
Brooks Koepka, who finished Sunday’s tournament just behind Mickelson at -4 along with Louis Oosthuizen, said on Twitter, “Congrats@PhilMickelsonWinning your 6th major and making history.”
Collin Morikawa, last year’s PGA Championship winner, tweeted, “Age is just a number, congrats@PhilMickelsonAmazing to see and very motivating for the future…can’t wait for 2047.”
More golf pros that congratulated Mickelson included Jon Rahm, Ernie Els, and Bubba Watson.
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In his career, Mickelson has 45 total wins on the PGA Tour. He is now one of only 14 players to win six or more majors. Mickelson’s last victory before Sunday came in 2019 when he won the 2019 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
“I mean this is just an incredible feeling because I just believed that it was possible but yet everything was saying it wasn’t,” Mickelson said after accepting the trophy. “I hope that others find that inspiration — it might take a little bit extra work, a little bit harder effort to maintain physically or maintain the skills but gosh is it worth it … and I’m so appreciative to be holding this Wanamaker trophy.”
source: people.com
