On Sunday at Kiawah Island’s Ocean Course Phil Mickelson (-7) will enter the final round of the 2021 PGA Championship with a one-shot lead over Brooks Koepka.
Louis Oosthuizen was 5-under-par, one clear of Kevin Streelman and two ahead of countrymen Branden Grace and Christiaan Bezuidenhout.
Of the names atop the leaderboard, Mickelson will be the clear rooting favorite among the golf fans while Koepka is the clear betting favorite.
Asked what it means to be in the final group with a potential sixth major just 18 holes away, Mickelson said, “I have an opportunity to contend for a major championship on Sunday and I’m having so much fun that it’s easier to stay in the present and not get ahead of myself.
“I think certainly my brother has played a big part in kind of keeping me present and in the moment and not letting a couple of bad swings affect me here or there, and so I think we’re having so much fun that it’s easy to stay present.”
With that, here are the storylines, and things to know, if Mickelson pulls it off and ends up in the winner’s circle.
Pro-File: Phil Mickelson
Name: Philip Alfred Mickelson
Nationality American
Height: 6′ 3″
Weight: 200 lb
Birthdate: June 16, 1970 (age 50)
Native: San Diego, CA
Residence: Jupiter, FL
College: Arizona State
Phil Mickelson’s 2021 PGA Stats
Rounds: 70-69-70 (-7)
Driving: 312.1 (15th)
Fairways: 57.1%, 24/42 (51st)
Greens: 64.8%, 35/54 (14th)
Putts/GIR: 1.629 (3rd)
With a win on Sunday at the PGA Championship, Phil Mickelson…
- Oldest: At 50, would become the oldest player in history to win a major championship, surpassing Julius Boros who was 48 when he won the 1968 PGA.
- All-Time 14: Would be become just the 14th player in history to win at least six (6) major championships.
- Historic Company: Would join Nick Faldo and Lee Trevino as six-time major winners.
- Historic to Iconic: Would possibly be the greatest feat in major history, even edging Tiger’s 2019 victory and Jack’s 1986 win at the Masters. It’d be that big.
- World Ranking: Would secure 100 OWGR points and move inside the world top-35 for the first time in two years.
- Money List: Would earn $1.98 million and move inside the top-35 on the PGA Tour’s Money List.
- Job Security: Would exempt the (sometimes shaky) 50-year old fan favorite for five more years (beyond this year) on the PGA Tour, and basically end his Champions Tour career.
- More Big Events: Would move him into the 2021 Ryder Cup conversation, while setting him up nicely to make a run at the career grand slam at the U.S. Open next month.
