Phil Mickelson’s win at the PGA Championship 2021 was one for the ages, as the fan favourite gave the unruly, and borderline out of control, grandstands exactly what they wanted in order to cling on to the lead and bring home the major championship bacon.
The American’s triumph was particularly beguiling because of his age, with him lifting the famous cup at the impressive age of 50.
This eclipsed the record for the oldest major winner, which was the 48-years of age posted by Julius Boros at the same tournament.
This incredible feat by Mickelson shows that age really is just a number and that tour veterans are far more than just also-rans who are there to pick up a few pay checks before sailing off into the retirement sunset.
Inspired by the man known as Lefty, here are some of the other tour veterans who could turn back the clock and stun their younger rivals.
Players of an advanced age need to take extra care with their physical preparation and practice routines if they are to keep up with fresh faced tour pros
Phil Mickelson – Age 50 – The Most Likely to Beat His Own Record
Before we start mentioning other tour veterans who might be able to upset online sportsbooks and get their golf gloves on a major championship, it is certainly worth paying homage to the man who gave rise to such conversations in the first place.
At the start of the 1st round at Kiawah Island Golf Resort, Mickelson was being priced as wide as 200/1 by golfing tipsters found at those comparison websites that specialise in providing deals and bonuses for sports fans.
Anyone who backed Mickelson at those odds will probably still be celebrating now, but perhaps what is more interesting is that a man who appears to be in the form of his life is still being priced as wide as 100/1 for the PGA Championship in 2022.
There is no doubt that plenty of his die-hard fans will be lumping on those generous odds, especially seeing as Mickelson could now make a triumphant return to the Ryder Cup squad as well as the upper echelons of the world rankings. Taking all this into consideration, it would be unwise to discount Mickelson repeating his major winning feat and breaking his own age record in the process.
Lee Westwood – Age 48 – Forever the Major Bridesmaid
Named European golfer of the year four times during his illustrious career, as well as having posted podium finishes at all four majors, means it is something of a mystery as to why Lee Westwood is still waiting for his first major win at the age of 48. As shown in the image to the left…Lee still works out everyday.
There is a feeling on tour that he suffers from a certain variety of mental block when it comes to the big pressure moments that must be overcome in order to get over the line at a major, but he is still showing the sort of form that could disprove that theory. Any major win would put him firmly in the top three of the oldest men ever to win a major.
Stewart Cink – Age 48 – Still Very Much in Cink
Unlike Westwood, Cink can relax knowing that he already won the Open Championship in 2009. Since then, he has gone on to accomplish plenty in the game, although his performance at the majors has tapered off with his other serious championship title charges coming in 1999, 2001, and 2008.
Having said that, Cink still has plenty of ability at his disposal and won a PGA Tour title as recently as April of 2021, when he took down the RBC Heritage. Not only did he top the leader board in South Carolina, but he decimated a talent-packed field, registering a winning margin of four shots. This is the sort of form that can definitely still garner a second major victory.
Tiger Woods – Age 45 – Not Out of the Woods Yet
It is hard to believe that Tiger is one of the youngest athletes on this list, as it seems like he has been around forever.
It makes sense to include him, though, because no matter what obstacles life throws in front of this individual, he has always shown a superhuman ability to come back stronger.
The latest of those was a horrific car crash which he somehow escaped. The injuries he suffered would have discounted any other man from returning to major winning form, but Woods has no less than fifteen major titles in his locker, and him claiming a sixteenth would not be unthinkable.
Ian Poulter – Age 45 – Trying to Harness Ryder Cup Spirit at Majors
The Ryder Cup will just not be the same when Ian Poulter finally decides to hang up his loud golfing outfits.
The Englishman has also gone close on a few occasions at major championships, not least at the 2008 Open Championship where he finished second to Pádraig Harrington.
He still regularly registers top 20 finishes in high grade tour events and so should never be discounted from making an emotionally charged run at a major title at the ripe old age of 45. His zest for life for his family and fast cars, will keep Ian focussed coming into this late 40’s.
Pádraig Harrington – Age 49 – Ryder Cup Captain Who Still Has His Playing Mojo
This Irishman has a lot on his plate at the minute, as he still commands a world top 100 ranking as well as shouldering the responsibility of being the Ryder Cup captain.
That would prove too much for many other 49-year-olds, but Harrington has spent the majority of his adult life at the top of the game, and so should feel right at home with the extra commitments.
They could also sharpen him up a bit and get him back in contention at the majors. He is a particular threat at the Open Championship, which he has won twice before, accomplishing back-to-back triumphs in 2007 and 2008. He has not won a tour event since way back in 2015, but a player of his pedigree and standing won’t let that play on his mind.