Phil “Lefty” Mickelson is the best left handed golfer the game has seen in a long time and possibly the best left handed golfer of all time. Born on June 16th, 1970 in San Diego, California, Mickelson has become a golf legend at just 36 years old. He has won the Masters tournament in 2004 and 2006, as well as the PGA Championship in 2005. In all, he has 29 tour victories, is a five time member of the U.S. Ryder Cup team, a five time member of the U.S. Presidents Cup team, a two time member of the U.S. Walker Cup team and a four time collegiate All-American.

Mickelson was a golfer from the start as he began hitting golf balls before he was two years old. He stood out in his college career before making the leap to the pros, winning 34 San Diego County junior titles, a US Amateur Title, and three NCAA Championships while he attended Arizona State University.

Mickelson got his first professional victory in 1993 and went on to have a brilliant career in the 1990’s racking up 12 PGA Tour victories. However, during this time he did not win a major and was considered by many "the best player never to win a major".

In the early part of the millennium, Mickelson had a few victories here and there and was winless in 2003. However, the golfer returned to the style and consistency he had in the 1990’s and finally was able to win a Major in 2004. As the 2004 Masters winded down, Mickelson sunk a 12 foot putt that gave him the victory over Ernie Els. Mickelson also came close to winning the 2004 US Open finishing 2nd and the 2004 British Open finishing 3rd. The following year he came back strong winning the PGA Championship in 2005 and the Masters again earlier this year. (He also won the 2006 Bell South Classic)

He is currently ranked 2nd in the World behind Tiger Woods and constantly ranks in the top 5 for golf earnings making over $4 million annually. As of June 17, 2006, he is ranked 3rd in career earnings, making over $38 million from tournament victories alone and much more due to endorsement deals.

Mickelson is one of the best golfers ever to play the game and although he may have never won a major tournament in the 1990’s and was very inconsistent and almost winless in the earlier parts of the millennium, he has won three majors and has 8 PGA victories over the last three years. At only 36 years old we can expect to see Mickelson on the green for at least a few more years as he develops into a hall of fame player.