Golf 2019 highlights: Phil Mickelson's emergence as a social media phenomenon
Phil Mickelson is undoubtedly one of the greatest, and most recognisable, golfers the game has ever seen.
In a professional career that has so far spanned 26 years, Lefty has won 44 Tour events, including five majors, a Players Championship and two World Golf Championships. He has also made 24 appearances for USA in the Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup, a run which ends this week.
If it wasn’t for the phenom that is Tiger Woods, he would surely have won many times more, and be the great American golfer of this generation. Even playing in Tiger's shadow, he's been a permanent menace for a quarter of a century, and 2019 saw that menace go modern as he became golf's newest Social Media King.
Although he technically joined Twitter and Instagram at the back end of 2018, this year saw Lefty’s online presence explode. He has since amassed a combined 1m followers who await his latest 'Phireside' or, more recently, a joust or two with a journalist.
And so, with Christmas firmly in mind, here are my 12 Days of... Mickelmas? Yes, Mickelmas. Pour yourself a mulled wine, grab a second mince pie, get yourself Phireside and relive his social media #bombs with me...
12. A Lesson with Lefty
Phil giving some valuable insight into his tournament preparation and short game technique...
MC tip Tuesday!
— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) June 4, 2019
When there’s less loft and more coverage of the ball, there are more ways than 1 to do this, however this technique that Ray Floyd uses is my favorite too. pic.twitter.com/KPjEr2JSLu
11. Speed freak
Here he offers a glimpse into an off-season workout. Not bad for a 49-year-old...
Here’s a mini glimpse into my off season core workout. I need to build core strength so I don’t get hurt swinging 120+ during the year. Making next season a career year starts now, before I even swing a club. pic.twitter.com/7C5Rtwoqkf
— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) September 12, 2019
10. No Tour Championship? No problem...
Phil didn’t seem too troubled to have missed out on a place at East Lake...
I would love to be competing at East Lake right now, but sipping 1985 Haut-Brion poolside while working on my tan and spending time on social media isn’t a bad way to spend the week either. pic.twitter.com/6kfo2esGNv
— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) August 23, 2019
9. #TributeTuesday
The beginning of a mini-series of Phil sharing brief stories of those that have helped him climb the ladder...
I’m starting Tribute Tuesday to thank the many people in my life who have had an impact on me and my family. I could not have the many special moments and opportunities without these amazing people and this is my way to say thank you. pic.twitter.com/QbEfuM5wwd
— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) September 10, 2019
8. Calves.
The PGA Tour’s announcement that players could wear shorts during practice rounds pro-ams was somewhat overshadowed by Phil and his calves. I strongly recommend reading the comments section on this one...
The @PGATOUR just announced that shorts are allowed for pro-am and practice rounds. Word is they saw my Insta-structionals in shorts and felt this move needed to happen. Well played, Sir. Well played!😎 pic.twitter.com/vGCM36EoEF
— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) February 18, 2019
7. The (MizzenAnd) Main Man
Embracing the appreciation of his calves – And giving us some tips on how we too can have #CalvesLikeAdonis...
I’ve listened to your wants and desires. The 5-part series "Phil Kwon Do Calves" is now yours. Let the ones you love know by showing them 2x the ❤️❤️! #MizzenAndMain pic.twitter.com/I4gIClkItP
— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) March 22, 2019
6. Walk it in
Clearly, Phil is also a big fan of Kevin Na and his famous walk in style...
Playing with Kevin Na who just won in Vegas. Now playing a practice round with him in his native country Korea and he’s rubbing off on me. pic.twitter.com/6lAEEgYLdM
— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) October 15, 2019
5. Putts down, thumbs up
Nothing like a bit of recovery after a record thumbs-up return on Saturday at the PGA Championship...
Shattered the record. Not the round I wanted. Game is closer than my score. I’m putting all I have into tomorrow’s round. Thank you NY for all your support. ❤️👍 pic.twitter.com/A0w9O6YXCs
— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) May 18, 2019
4. Weight a minute!
Here is the great man demonstrating the results of a six-day fast and 15lb weight loss...
Let’s get real for a minute. I haven’t been my best and I’m doing all I can to get it right. I’ll have more Phireside chats soon as well as a fun new series too. Until then, HIT 💣’s pic.twitter.com/QrqUpThEeV
— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) July 14, 2019
3. Seventh Heaven
A hole-in-one in Jim Nantz's back garden - a replica of the famous seventh at Pebble Beach - and with the added bonus of commentary from Nantz himself...
From dropping bombs 💣 to dropping the mic 🎤
— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) June 5, 2019
Dropping hole-in-ones on Pebble Beach #7 (in Nantz’s yard) is how I get ready for the US Open! #KARMA #sidesauce pic.twitter.com/IyvuyUWFtH
2. Phireside with Phil
Here's the birth of 'Phireside', a tongue-in-cheek series where he recalls stories from the past. We have even seen guest appearances from Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, Padraig Harrington, Zach Johnson, and, in a manner of speaking, Tiger Woods...
First edition of “Phireside with Phil.”
— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) June 18, 2019
I’ll be sharing some interesting stories that have taken place through the years and will hopefully have some guests in the future too. #PhiresidewithPhil pic.twitter.com/4NDVTPNKmt
1. Magnolia Lane
It’s Saturday at the Masters and Lefty gives us a little insight into his weekend strategy. Clue: it involves hitting bombs...
Weekend at @TheMasters hitting BOMBS 💣 and attacking pins.
— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) April 13, 2019
LFG!!! #Lefty pic.twitter.com/yTt0yVJ5tQ
- Twitter: @PhilMickelson
- Instagram: philmickelson
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