Phil Mickelson proved that age has nothing on skills on Sunday at the final round of the US PGA Champions as he produced a two-shot victory to win his sixth major title, becoming the oldest person to do so at age 50.
Mickelson finished one-over 73, closing the day at 6 under. Former world number one, Brooks Koepka and Louis Oosthuizen were tied at 4 under in second place. Padraig Harrington and Shane Lowry, Paul Casey, Harry Higgs were all tied at fourth place.
Mickelson started the day as the overnight leader but bogeyed the first hole. Koepka shot a 12-foot birdie at the first hole and gained the lead but bogeyed the second, losing the lead to Mickelson who birdied it. Mickelson maintained his lead into the third hole, despite bogeying the hole. Koepka also made an error on his third hole. But Koepka’s birdie in the fifth hole sent the crowd wild with joy.
Mickelson was still dealing with bogeys in the sixth hole but got redemption in the seventh as he birdied the hole, giving himself a two-shot lead. This was further was helped by Koepka’s bogey at the seventh. Another birdie at the tenth saw his lead increase to four shots. Oosthuizen managed to catch up with the two leading players. Mickelson suffered a bit at the 14th and 15th but Oosthuizen also made errors on his path, meaning Mickelson still had a three-shot lead. Mickelson then hit the longest drive of the week on the 16th but dropped a shot at the 17th. The shot for the 18th hole caused the crowd to gather around him just before he nailed the final putt. Koepka was left to battle for second place with Oosthuizen and ended up sharing it.
With this win, Mickelson, who is just three weeks away from 51, has now joined Lee Trevino, Phil Mickelson as players who have six major titles.
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