by Ray Keating
The Keating Files – May 24, 2021
A love of golf was a gift instilled in me at a young age by my grandfather. I grew to not only appreciate golf being a heavily mental game that, of course, requires precise physical execution, but also to become a fan of the game, including its rich history.
There’s that word: history. The sports world witnessed history on Sunday, May 23, when Phil Mickelson became the oldest golfer to win one of golf’s four majors – the PGA Championship. For the first time since 1986, my heart wasn’t broken while watching one of the greats try to reclaim glory at a major.
Previously, the oldest to win a major tournament was Julius Boros, who took the PGA Championship in 1968 at the age of 48, beating out Arnold Palmer. Next in the age line came Old Tom Morris, winner of the British Open in 1867, and Jack Nicklaus taking the Masters in 1986 – each man was 46 years old. As for the U.S. Open, Hale Irwin won the 1990 U.S. Open at 45.
I’m in no way dismissing Irwin’s great achievement, but for me and countless others, that Nicklaus unexpected win at the Masters by the greatest golfer of all time was incredible and unforgettable. But thirty-five years since Nicklaus’ last victory at the Masters is a long time to wait for another truly great achievement of beating the field and Father Time at a major by a special player.
Indeed, there have been some disappointments along the way. It’s not unusual to see a great player past his prime, perhaps in his late forties or early fifties, to pop up early on the leaderboard of a major, only to inevitably fade.
But there have been some serious runs, too. People might forget that Nicklaus, at the age of 58, was in contention in the final round at the 1998 Masters and finished sixth. And perhaps the most tragic example was Tom Watson at the age of 59 falling short at the very end of the 2009 British Open at Turnberry in his attempt to win a ninth major.
But there was no disappointment at the final round of the 2021 PGA Championship at the Ocean Course on Kiawah Island. After a rough start during the first six holes in the first round on Thursday, Mickelson became the best player on the course for the remainder of the tournament.
Mickelson’s victory at 50 years and 11 months old – to win his sixth major – was a remarkable accomplishment. And it seemed like the entire golf world and beyond was rooting him on to victory, as illustrated by the gallery engulfing Mickelson, as well as his playing partner Brooks Koepka, in the 18th fairway of the final round.
Golf is one of those sports that one would assume older players, if they stayed in good shape including by taking advantage of latest thinking and tools on fitness, could remain competitive into their late forties and into their fifties. I’ve often thought that. And it is true – to an extent. After all, younger players can take advantage of the same fitness advantages. So, while the 50 year old can be a more fit and better golfer than 50 years ago, the same goes for the 25 year old. Therefore, it’s unclear how much the improvements in fitness for those in their late forties and fifties have meant in terms of gaining competitive ground on younger players. Given that Boros’ win came 53 years ago, Nicklaus’ 35 years past, Irwin’s 31 years ago, and Morris’, well, 154 year earlier, one had to wonder.
Then along comes Phil Mickelson in May 2021. Mickelson in recent years made big changes in his fitness, and at the PGA, here was Phil at nearly 51 often hitting longer drives than men a quarter century younger. But there’s more at play here than the physical.
As I said earlier, golf is a heavily mental game. And with age and experience come, hopefully, greater insight and wisdom. One could see that with Mickelson throughout the tournament. This was not the full swashbuckling Phil, who both won and lost majors due to his derring-do, and would, at his worst moments, take unnecessarily risky shots. The 2021 PGA Championship Mickelson was the smartest guy in the field. He brought all he had learned during his great career with him to the course each of the four days. And it was clear that he stayed mentally focused, including using that famed Mickelson imagination.
In the past, when a great older player would falter or fade in a tournament, I often got the feeling that it was perhaps even more about a loss of mental focus than the physical challenges. That always struck me as odd, again, given the benefits gained from experience. But as most of us can attest to no matter our age, the physical and mental are not separate spheres, but instead are intimately intertwined. If you’re weary or tired, you’re simply not going to be as mentally sharp as you otherwise would be.
Mickelson’s achievement at the PGA Championship turns out to be a lesson for his fellow golfers, as well as the rest of us in our own endeavors. It’s not one or the other – the mental or the physical – but instead it’s about both.
Phil Mickelson improved his physical well-being, and worked to enhance his mental focus. Combine those actions with his experience, creativity and talent, and you get the man who is now the oldest player in golf history to win a major. For older golfers still looking to win a major, for example, it’s about work being done on both the physical and mental fronts, and how those work together.
Dare I ask: Could Phil Mickelson still win the one major that has eluded him, having come in second a record six times at the U.S. Open? That’s a huge ask, even considering all we have considered here, but as opposed to just a few days ago, it’s now something that lies within the realm of possibilities.
But let’s not reduce in any way this monumental achievement. Phil Mickelson ended the disappointment for fans like me, winning his sixth major at 50 years old. That’s history, Phil. Thanks!
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Ray Keating is a columnist, novelist, economist, podcaster and entrepreneur. Keating has two new books out. Vatican Shadows: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel is the 13ththriller/mystery in the Pastor Stephen Grant series. Get the paperback or Kindle edition at Amazon, or signed books at www.raykeatingonline.com. Past Lives: A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story is the 14th book in the series. Get the paperback or Kindle edition at Amazon, or signed book at www.raykeatingonline.com. And pre-order the 15th book in the series What’s Lost? A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story.
The views expressed here are his own – after all, no one else should be held responsible for this stuff, right?
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