Phil Mickelson biography

Synopsis

Early Life

Born Philip Alfred Mickelson on June 16, 1970, in San Diego, California. Mickelson's career in golf began around the time he could walk; his parents Phil and Mary tell the story of a young Phil running away from home at the age of 3, telling neighbors he was going to the golf course.

Mickelson began an amateur golfing career as a teen. He won 34 San Diego Junior Golf Association titles, using his father's job as an airline pilot to score tickets to his various tournaments. His mother took a second job to help pay for his American Junior Golf Association play, which won him three consecutive AJGA Rolex Player of the Year awards, and a full scholarship to Arizona State University.

Pro Golfer

Mickelson graduated from the University of San Diego High School in 1988, and headed to Arizona State University to study psychology. During his time at Arizona State, Mickelson jumped to the top of the national amateur golfing ranks. He won three NCAA individual championships, three Haskins Awards for outstanding collegiate golfer, and became only the second collegiate golfer to earn 1st team All-American honors all four years. In 1990, while a junior in college, he became the first left-hander to win the U.S. Amateur title. That same year, he stunned critics when he won his first PGA Tour tournament as an amateur, becoming the fourth golfer in PGA history to accomplish this feat.

Mickelson earned his bachelor's degree at ASU after his 1991 win in Tucson. In 1992, on the eve of his 22nd birthday, he turned professional. Mickelson's first win as a pro was in 1993 at Torrey Pines, and the golfer continued to win many PGA Tour tournaments, including the Byron Nelson Golf Classic and the World Series of Golf in 1996. In 1998, he won the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, followed by the Colonial National Invitation in 2000. He also won the Buick Invitational in 2000, defeating favorite Tiger Woods and ending the golf icon's streak of consecutive tournament victories. His first major championship win came at the 2004 Masters.

Mickelson's 2004 Masters tournament victory, was ranked No. 9 in TV Guide's list of the "25 Most Awesome Sports Moments (of the last 15 years)." In 2007, Forbes estimated his earnings for the year at $42 million, making him one of golf's highest-paid players.

In 2009, Mickelson came back into view as the possible U.S. Open champ. The neck-and-neck competition involved underdog Ricky Barnes, as well as Lucas Glover and Tiger Woods.

Mickelson is married to Amy McBride, who is currently battling cancer. They have three children: Amanda, Sophia, and Evan.

Winning Streak

Mickelson's 2004 Masters tournament victory, was ranked No.