Since making his PGA Tour debut 31-years-ago Phil Mickelson has gone on to announce himself as one of the Tour’s - and the sport’s - most decorated players.
Throughout his glittering career, Mickelson has won an impressive 45 PGA Tour titles including six majors, with his last coming at the 2021 PGA Championship where the 51-year-old became golf’s oldest major winner.
The American proved to be the main rival of arguably golf’s greatest player, Tiger Woods, throughout their prime with the pair often going toe-to-toe throughout the late 1990’s and 2000’s.
Despite Woods’ dominance Mickelson enjoyed plenty of success of his own, winning three Masters titles, one Open Championship and two PGA Championships - including his victory last May.
With this success has of course come financial reward, with the American not only one of the richest golfers on the planet, but one of the wealthiest competitors in sport overall.
Mickelson’s impressive resume has seen him become the second highest earner of all time on the PGA Tour, having accumulated £70 million in career earnings on the US-based circuit - an amount only bettered by Woods.
Like any sportsman his income does not stop at the amount made whilst competing, with sponsorships and endorsements making him one of the richest athletes in the world.
According to Celebrity Net Worth , Mickelson’s net worth is said to be an eye-watering £294 million ($400 million), whilst Sportico revealed that ‘Lefty’ was sport’s 11th highest earner of all time, with his on and of course earnings racking in £793 million adjusted to inflation.
Is Mickelson's reputation ruined following his recent comments? Let us know in the comments section below.
Despite this, it seems that Mickelson is keen to make even more as he comes to the latter stages of his career, after showing a keen interest in the controversial Saudi Golf League.
The Saudi-backed series is offering some of the world’s best golfers mega-money deals to join up with the breakaway circuit, which is strongly opposed by the PGA Tour and DP World Tour.
Despite the opposition from the Tour in which Mickelson has spent almost all of his professional career - and where he has won his millions - the American took sides with the Saudi’s, which has left his once legendary reputation in tatters.
His contentious support of the SGL has left many fans questioning why he is willing to give up his remarkable PGA Tour legacy in return for one last multi-million pay day.
Mickelson’s recent tirade started after he accused the US-based Tour of ‘obnoxious greed’ despite raking in eye-watering amounts thanks to the circuit.
This was later followed by the American excusing the opportunity to join a Golf League backed by a state known for a whole host of human rights abuses, in order to gain ‘leverage’ on the PGA Tour and its commissioner Jay Monahan.
However, this seemed to be the beginning of the end for Mickelson hopes - and potentially the Saudi League itself - following a whole host of criticism, including from fellow professional Rory McIlroy.
Since, the six-time major champ has issued an apology following the controversies, and also revealed he would be taking time away from professional golf following a whirlwind few weeks.
Whilst his reputation has taken a hit, his earnings will no doubt have too after Mickelson’s long-time sponsor KPMG announced they would be parting ways with the 51-year-old following the saga.
