4. Phil Mickelson
The most entertaining, exciting player since Arnold Palmer, Phil Mickelson
has provided the golf world with some of its most thrilling victories as well as
its most spectacular disasters. Few golfers have been blessed with as much
talent as Mickelson, who honed his abilities, especially in the short game, on
the backyard putting green of his family’s home in San Diego.
Mickelson
displayed his skills early, winning the 1991 Northern Telecom Open as an
amateur, as well as three NCAA Championships and the U.S. Amateur. In fact, his
amateur record may have been as good as that of Woods.
Mickelson’s
professional record isn’t shabby either, especially when examined outside of
Woods’ considerable shadow. Mickelson finally won his first major in an exciting
back-nine shootout against Ernie Els in the 2004 Masters. But for all his wins,
Mickelson also has had some high-profile meltdowns, most notably a double bogey
on the 72nd hole of the 2006 U.S. Open to lose to Geoff Ogilvy by a shot. Born: June 16, 1970
Major victories: 3 (through 2007)
PGA Tour
victories: 33 (through 2008 CA Championship)
Other achievements: 1990 U.S.
Amateur, 3 NCAA Championships, 6 Ryder Cup teams
1. Tiger
Woods
2. Mickey
Wright
3. Billy
Casper
4. Phil
Mickelson
5. Juli
Inkster
6. Johnny
Miller
7. Gene
Littler
8. Amy
Alcott
9. Mark
O'Meara
10. Lawson
Little
