Phil Mickelson, who turns 51 in June, is now the oldest winner in major history. Prior to Sunday, not a single player had won a major championship in his 50s. The previous record was set by Julius Boros when he won the 1968 PGA Championship. Boros, who won three majors, was 48 years old at the time.
Mickelson is familiar with success in the majors, as he has totaled six major championships and runner-up finishes across all four golf majors. Lefty’s latest feat is the cherry on top of his Hall of Fame career.
But he hadn’t won a major since 2013 at Muirfield, and hadn’t won a title of any sort since 2019 at Pebble Beach. Mickelson reflected on his career in the weeks leading up to the PGA Championship:
I’ve failed many times in my life and career and because of this I’ve learned a lot. Instead of feeling defeated countless times, I’ve used it as fuel to drive me to work harder. So today, join me in accepting our failures. Let’s use them to motivate us to work even harder.
— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) May 11, 2021
His sister was one of the first to weigh in on this historic event:
I’m not crying. You’re crying. OK, I’m totally crying. @PhilMickelson @goodwalkspoiled pic.twitter.com/K8IR2hGjNb
— Tina Mickelson (@TinaMickelson) May 23, 2021
While you guys were busy on the golf course, I was busy fielding Mom’s “nervous texts”.? @PhilMickelson @goodwalkspoiled pic.twitter.com/ZyZZ5xvdRN
— Tina Mickelson (@TinaMickelson) May 24, 2021
Fellow stranger to Father Time Tom Brady, along with others, expressed his support on social media:
That’s my quarterback!!! LFG @PhilMickelson!! https://t.co/VkfoZY1mDw
— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) May 23, 2021
Truly inspirational to see @PhilMickelson do it again at 50 years of age. Congrats!!!!!!!
— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) May 23, 2021
Wow! @PhilMickelson
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) May 23, 2021
I will take some credit for this win @PhilMickelson. I poked the bear and you came out of hibernation. Congratulations on a historic performance!
— Joel Dahmen (@Joel_Dahmen) May 23, 2021
Absolute madness!! What a scene!! Great day to be a lefty!! @PhilMickelson
— TJ Watt (@_TJWatt) May 23, 2021
Chalk one up for the old boys ✅ ….Congratulations @PhilMickelson ? An absolute tough track…beat me by 33 shots and I only played 2 days!!?? Well done….Well done
Amazing win brother! #PGAChamp @PGAChampionship @ChampionsTour
— John Daly (@PGA_JohnDaly) May 23, 2021
The people’s champion. ? pic.twitter.com/hLGIslpKtr
— KPMG Mickelson (@MickelsonHat) May 23, 2021
That’s why I adore the game of golf. Any sports fan loves @PhilMickelson.
— Niall Horan (@NiallOfficial) May 23, 2021
Phil!!! @PhilMickelson pic.twitter.com/Dxp521Yqub
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) May 22, 2021