‘It Has Taken a Lot More Time’: Phil Mickelson Once Expressed His Utter Frustration After Facing Major Championship Drought

American professional golfer, Phil Mickelson, is considered one of the best golfers of all time. After all, he has won 50+ tournaments worldwide, including six major championships. However, did you know that it took him more than a decade to win a major since he turned professional? 

After winning a PGA Tour title as an amateur, Mickelson had high hopes for his future. He believed that he could win everything, including four majors, without a problem. The golfer achieved a lot at the beginning of his career; he won many championships and become one of the best golfers in no time. However, he failed to win a major for more than a decade.

“After winning a tournament coming out of college,” Mickelson said then. “I thought that things would happen quickly.” He further added, “it’s taken a lot more time than I anticipated.” 

The golf world saw the golfer’s frustration for not winning a major in 2001

Mickelson started the first round of the 2001 PGA Championship with an impressive 66. He was one of the nine golfers in the field to do so. However, he continued to play his best game, whereas most of the others fell behind, making him hopeful of winning his first major. 

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He scored 66-66-66-68 in four rounds, and scoring such low scores in a major is nothing but impressive. Yet, all he could secure was a solo second place at the 2001 PGA Championship. Fellow American golfer, David Toms, won the title with a one-shot lead against Mickelson. 

“I’m trying to win a bunch of majors,” Mickelson said after the major competition. “And to have so much difficulty with the first is frustrating.” 

Phil Mickelson and his majors

Phil Mickelson turned professional in 1992. After 43 attempts as a professional, and at the age of 33 years, 9 months, and 26 days, he won his first major at the Masters Tournament in 2004. He scored 72-69-69-69 and won the championship with a one-shot lead against Ernie Els. 

2022 marked his 30th year of playing professional golf, and he has won 6 majors in this period. His major includes three Masters (2004, 2006, 2010), two PGA Championships (2005, 2021), and an Open Championship (2013). Notably, he hasn’t been able to win the US Open yet; therefore, he has not achieved the Career Grand Slam. 

After many years of hard work, Mickelson started winning majors. Although he achieved his dream, he has yet to have a taste of winning a US Open title. Do you think he would be able to win it? Let us know in the comments section below.

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