Even if he never won again heading into the PGA Championship, Phil Mickelson’s career would have been one of the most remarkable in the history of the game. But Mickelson’s win at the Ocean Course at Kiawah Island for the PGA Championship, which made him the oldest victor at a major championship in the sport’s history, elevated an already legendary career to another level altogether.

“Phil defeats Father Time,” CBS anchor announced as Mickelson rolled in his par putt on the final hole to finish at 6-under, two shots ahead of Brooks Koepka. It was a final round fitting of Mickelson’s incredibly unpredictable career, with six bogeys and five birdies to finish at 1-over.

The win was made all the more remarkable by the fact that Mickelson, 50, entered the event not playing his best golf as of late. His last Top 10 finish on the PGA Tour came last August. Now, with the PGA Championship win, he’s got numerous exemptions that will allow him to play for years to come.

Mickelson’s win will be remembered for the crowd rushing in behind him on the final hole after he hit his approach. Thousands took the fairway and Mickelson had to be helped through the crowd to reach the green.

“This is just an incredible feeling because I just believed this was possible, even though everyone said it wasn’t—gosh, is it worth it in the end,” Mickelson said. “I just love this game of golf and I love what I do and the challenge of competing against these incredible players.”

Julius Boros, who won at 48, was the previous oldest major champion. The win gave Mickelson six major championships; only U.S. Open has eluded him. That said, Mickelson’s last major championship win came nearly eight years ago when he won the British Open, while his first PGA Tour win, as an amateur, came more than 30 years ago. In many ways, the PGA Championship win is the just the latest highlight in a career by a golfer known for his miracle shots.

It looked like Mickelson would have a challenge heading into the final round. Brooks Koepka with four major championships to his name, was paired with Mickelson. But Koepka, who has struggled with a knee injury, double-bogeyed the par-5 second hole and never really recovered. Former major winner Louis Oosthuizen also looked poised to make a run, but an unfortunate double on the 13^th hole put him well back of Mickelson. Oosthuizen and Koepka finished tied for second at 4-under, two behind Mickelson.

What’s in the bag

Mickelson used a custom Epic Speed driver head for the tournament with a 47.9-inch Fujikura Ventus Black 6X shaft, according to Callaway, just short of the legal limit of 48 inches. Other versions of Epic Speed had too much spin for Mickelson.

Driver: Callaway Epic Speed Triple Diamond, (5.5 degrees)
2-wood: TaylorMade “Original One” Mini Driver
4-wood: Callaway Mavrik Sub Zero (14 degrees)
2 iron: Callaway X Forged UT, 16°
Irons: Callaway X21 UT Proto 20.5° and 25°, Callaway Apex MB ‘21 (6-PW)
Wedges: Callaway PM Grind ’19 Raw (50°, 55°, 60°)
Putter: Odyssey PM Blade
Ball: Callaway Chrome Soft X with Triple Track

Canadian’s at the PGA Championship

Three Canadians were in the field this week at the PGA Championship; two made the cut. Abbotsford, BC’s Adam Hadwin made the cut and finished in a tie for 64^th, while Dundas, Ont.’s Mackenzie Hughes didn’t make it to the weekend. But it was Listowel, Ont., Corey Conners who generated a lot of excitement after an opening round of 67 put him in the lead after the first day of the championship. But Conners could not keep up the same pace for the other three rounds, dropping back to a tie for 16^th after a final round 73 put him one over for the championship. Still, it is his second straight Top 20 finish at a major, following his 10^th-place showing at the Masters in April.

“I think you try and treat it just as much like any other golf round as you can, just really be patient, take things slow,” Conners said heading into the final round. “Just kind of find my rhythm early in the round, be ready to play from the start, and just battle away right until the end.”