Philip Mickelson was born on this day in 1970. He has won four major championships and a total of 41 events on the PGA Tour. He has reached a career high world ranking of 2nd in multiple years. He is nicknamed “Lefty” for his left-handed swing, even though he is otherwise right-handed. Mickelson was elected into the World Golf Hall of Fame in November 2011 and was inducted in May 2012.
As a professional competitor, Mickelson’s playing style is described by many as “aggressive” and highly social. Sometimes, his strategy towards difficult shots (bad lies, obstructions) tends to be what may be considered risky and a gamble. Mickelson’s game has been characterized by his powerful but often inaccurate full swing, but even more so by his excellent short game, and most of all his daring “flop” shot, in which a big swing with a high-lofted wedge against a tight lie flies a ball high into the air for a short distance.