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USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Nick Schwartz

Phil Mickelson through the years: A look back at his career

Phil Mickelson made his first appearance at a major championship in 1990 at the U.S. Open, and 33 years later he’s still in the field.

Mickelson will turn 53 on Friday, June 16th, as he plays in the second round of the 2023 U.S. Open at Los Angeles Country Club.

Over the course of an incredible career, Mickelson has won 45 PGA Tour titles, six major championships and $96 million in career PGA Tour earnings, second only behind Tiger Woods.

Mickelson evolved from the best to never win a major, to the people’s champion, to one of the sport’s most controversial figures with his defection to LIV Golf in 2022.

Here’s a look back at Mickelson’s career in photos, year by year.

1991: As an amateur, Mickelson makes the cut at three majors and wins his first PGA Tour title

AP Photo/Bill Waugh
FILE PHOTO

1994: Mickelson records his first career top-5 in a major at the PGA Championship

Gary Newkirk/ALLSPORT

1995

AP Photo/Kathy Willens

1995: Mickelson plays in his first career Ryder Cup

AP Photo/Ed Reinke
Photo by Wayne Scarberry/f8 Images

1996: Mickelson rises to No. 2 on the PGA Tour earnings list

AP Photo/John Miller

1997

AP Photo/Joe Mahoney

1998

AP Photo/Bob Galbraith

1999: Mickelson and the Americans win the Ryder Cup

AP Photo/Charles Krupa

2000

H. Darr Beiser, USA TODAY

2001

AP Photo/Denis Poroy

2002

AP Photo/Kathy Willens

2003

AP Photo/David Martin

2004: Breakthrough at Augusta

AP Photo/Dave Martin
Photo By: Jack Gruber, USA TODAY

2005: Phil wins the PGA Championship at Baltusrol

AP Photo/Julie Jacobson

2006: Second green jacket and U.S. Open heartbreak

Tim Dillon, USA TODAY staff
Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

2007: Phil wins the Players Championship

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

2008

AP Photo/Michael Conroy

2009

Andrew Redington/Getty Images

2010: Phil's third green jacket

DON EMMERT/AFP/Getty Images

2011

Jack Gruber, USA TODAY Staff

2012

AP Photo/Chuck Burton

2013: Phil wins the Open at Muirfield

Andrew Redington/Getty Images
Leo Mason-USA TODAY Sports

2014

AP Photo/Peter Morrison

2015

Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

2016

Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports

2017

Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports

2018: Phil's tournament drought ends, and he beats Tiger Woods in 'The Match'

Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo
Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports

2019

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

2020

Handout Photo by Getty Images for The Match via USA TODAY Sports

2021: Phil wins the PGA Championship at age 50

Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Stacy Revere/Getty Images

2022: Phil leaves for LIV Golf and becomes one of the highest-paid athletes in the world again

ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images
Adrian DENNIS / AFP

2023

Joey Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
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