Phil Mickelson

Phil Mickelson is one of the most accomplished and polarizing figures in professional golf history, with six major championship victories and career earnings that place him among the wealthiest athletes of all time. Born on June 16, 1970, in San Diego, California, Mickelson showed prodigious talent from an early age. Notably left-handed despite being naturally right-handed, he learned to swing by mirroring his father’s right-handed swing. He attended Arizona State University where he won three NCAA individual championships and a remarkable 16 tournaments as an amateur, even winning a PGA Tour event as a college junior in 1991.

Turning professional in 1992, Mickelson quickly established himself as one of the PGA Tour’s premier players. He earned the nickname “Lefty” and became one of golf’s most popular figures, known for his daring style of play and crowd-friendly demeanor. After years of near-misses, he broke through to win his first major at the 2004 Masters Tournament, followed by victories at the 2005 PGA Championship, the 2006 Masters, the 2010 Masters, the 2013 Open Championship, and the 2021 PGA Championship. His 2021 PGA Championship win at age 50 made him the oldest major champion in golf history.

In 2022, Mickelson made the controversial decision to join the Saudi Arabia-backed LIV Golf series, reportedly receiving a signing bonus of approximately $200 million. The move drew significant criticism and cost him several major endorsement deals, but it dramatically increased his overall earnings. His involvement with LIV Golf, combined with decades of PGA Tour earnings exceeding $95 million and historically lucrative endorsement deals with brands like Callaway, KPMG, Rolex, and Amstel Light, has made him one of the highest-earning athletes in sports history.

Despite the controversies surrounding his move to LIV Golf and revelations about significant gambling losses estimated in the tens of millions, Mickelson’s net worth has reached an estimated $300 million as of 2026. He continues to compete in LIV Golf events and select major championships. Off the course, he has various business investments and real estate holdings, including a lavish estate in Rancho Santa Fe, California.