The Distance from 42 to 43 is 4 and a Half Years

When Phil Mickelson hoisted the Claret Jug in 2013, it looked as if he was on a path to be just as productive in his 40s as he had been in his earlier years. But then 2014 passed without a win, and 2015, and 2016, and 2017. It wasn’t as if he dropped off the map though. He came dangerously close to winning the 2014 PGA Championship at Valhalla and the 2016 Open Championship at Royal Troon. He also remained competitive and productive on Ryder and President’s Cup teams. However, Phil plays to win.

As 2018 commenced, Phil got off to a slow start on the course with a missed cut and a T45 finish. His results on the course changed markedly though after the calendar turned to February as he posted T5, T2, and T6 finishes in consecutive weeks on the PGA Tour’s west coast swing. While that was a nice string of tournaments, it led to no new additions to Phil’s mantle.

As the PGA Tour moved south of the border for the World Golf Championships – Mexico Championship, Phil’s hot game followed, and, after 3 rounds, Phil found himself poised on the precipice of triumph; he was 2 shots back. The final round saw Phil post 4 birdies in the first 6 holes, marred only by one bogey. Phil had to battle through the middle of his round though as he made par saving putts at 8 and 9 and scrambled for a bogey on the par 5 eleventh. Still, he found himself tied for the lead with holes running out on him and his competitors. The announcers talked about Phil’s focus and drive to win as well as how sharp he was on the driving range. It felt like it was finally his time. But then, arguably the hottest golfer on the planet, Justin Thomas, did the unbelievable and holed his second shot for eagle on the par 4 18^th hole from more than 100 yards away. This vaulted Thomas to a 2 shot lead.

Phil still had holes to play though and one could sense that he still had something to say about who would claim the trophy in the end. On the green in 2 at the par 5 16^th, Phil 2-putted for birdie. After holing a long birdie putt at 16, Phil was tied with Thomas with 2 to play. It bears mentioning that Englishman Tyrrell Hatton had suddenly slipped into a tie for the lead too. At 17 Phil rolled a putt that looked as if it was in the whole way. He settled for par. On 18 he stood in the middle of the fairway with wedge in hand. Surely most expected him to hit it close. He didn’t. Two putts later the stage was set for a playoff between Phil and Justin Thomas as Hatton made bogey on 18.

Thomas drew the right to hit first on the par 3 17^th hole, which is where the sudden death playoff was to start. He put a crisp strike on the ball, but he went over the green. Phil took the opening and hit a solid shot to about 15 feet. After a lackluster chip from Thomas that left him 6 feet short, the door was open for Phil to end the longest winless drought in his Hall of Fame career. He hit a perfect putt that curled elegantly towards the hole, but when it got to the hole it decided to kiss and roll around the edge of the hole. Phil was visibly distraught. Thomas still needed to hole his putt to extend the playoff though. He didn’t. Phil was finally a champion again.

When Phil found himself an Open Champion at Muirfield in 2013 – his 42^nd PGA Tour victory – I think he and his fans thought that 43 wasn’t too far behind. Sometimes in life, patience is necessary, however. After a drought of a little over 4 and a half years, Phil finally has 43 finishes of first on the PGA Tour on his resume. By the way, that’s 7 more PGA Tour victories than Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas, and Rickie Fowler combined. The young guys are good, but they still have a ways to go to reach Phil who, although he’s turning 48 in June, still has petroleum in the tank.