If there were any lingering doubts that Phil Mickelson deserved his single major (the 2004 Masters), they have been dispelled. He kicked the “lucky” monkey off his back by winning the PGA Championship, his second major in two years. After Phil’s great year at the big four in ’04, 2005 was shaping up to be an average year at best. His best finish this year came at the Masters when he finished alone in 10th place.
Mickelson started 2005 with a bang, winning twice in February and once in April. There weren’t many of us who expected Phil to snag a PGA Championship victory as he had cooled off in the second half of the season and had not been a factor at either the U.S. Open or the Open Championship. He surprised us all by leading at the end of every round and calmly walking off the 18th hole after sinking a short birdie putt for the win.
Mickelson’s short game is money and he proved it when the pressure was greatest. His wedge out of the green-side rough was confident and well executed. “There’s still an element of guesswork,” said Mickelson, “but when it hit the green, it took a bounce and rolled up to within a three-foot circle that I was very confident in.”
There were so many players that had a shot at the win. Björn birdied 17 and put what seemed to be a perfect stroke on a birdie putt on at 18. Tiger tapped into his resevoir of experience and came within two strokes. Steve Elkington got over his shoulder surgery and is having a solid year. Davis Love III driver let him down during the final round. He missed the fairway at 18 four times over the course of the tournament. If he had hit a couple of those he’d have won. In the end Mickelson did what he had to do to pull out another win.
Thomas Björn said, “Phil deserves this more than anybody. He’s not a one-major guy; he’s a 10-major guy. He’s going to go on now and contend for Majors as he’s always done but it’s going to be easier and easier for him to win them now.” Phil’s second Major victory is not to be underestimated. While not as difficult as his first, Major number two gives him added confidence when facing pressure at the most important tournaments of the season. The next goal that he should set for himself is staring Tiger Woods down at either a Major or a regular season event.
Phil has caught a lot of flack over the last few years. He was the best player to have not won a Major, he wasn’t a closer, and some questioned his sincerity. The accusations have come but he took them in stride. Not only that, he just won the final Major of the year against a very strong field and moved into the third spot in the World Golf Rankings while he was at it. He deserves some credit for his skill as a golfer and friendly demeanor.
Pos Player Tot R1 R2 R3 R4 1 Phil Mickelson -4 67 65 72 72 T2 Thomas Bjorn -3 71 71 63 72 T2 Steve Elkington -3 68 70 68 71 T4 Davis Love, III -2 68 68 68 74 T4 Tiger Woods -2 75 69 66 68 T6 Pat Perez -1 68 71 67 73 T6 Retief Goosen -1 68 70 69 72 T6 Michael Campbell -1 73 68 69 69 T6 Geoff Ogilvy -1 69 69 72 69
I knew Phil would win a major this year!
He is destined for greatness.