Coined as the toughest qualifying of any event in golf by the PGA, ‘Master Phil’ Mickelson became the second ‘lefty’ to earn a berth in the PGA Grand Slam of Golf. Mickelson’s masterful journey erased a 46-event streak of never
Coined as the toughest qualifying of any event in golf by the PGA, ‘Master Phil’ Mickelson became the second ‘lefty’ to earn a berth in the PGA Grand Slam of Golf.
Mickelson’s masterful journey erased a 46-event streak of never having won a major championship. His 18-foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole gave him the Green Jacket and a slot into the PGA Grand Slam of Golf from November 22-22 at the Po‘ipu Bay Golf Course at the Hyatt Regency Kaua‘i Resort and Spa.
Mickelson’s birdie was just the fourth time a player ended the Masters with that result. Ernie Els though, a regular at the PGA Grand Slam nearly won the event, but Mickelson snuck past Els with a brilliant back nine.
With his win, Mickelson joined Canada’s Mike Weir, the Masters winner last year, and 1963 British Open Champion Bob Charles as the only left-handers to win major championships.
His final round of 69, and winning total of 9-under-par 279 gave him his 23rd career victory.
Ironically with Mickelson’s win, it was the sixth straight major won by a first time champion, something that has never happened in 144 years of championship golf.
Ernie Els, who made two eagles on the eighth and 13th holes in the final round was in the driver’s seat to win his very first Green Jacket, but Mickelson’s magical ride started at the 12th with birdies on the 13th, 14th, and 16th. Then Mickelson finished off Els with a brilliant 3-wood tee shot down the 18th fairway, which set up the final hole birdie opportunity.
Mickelson’s previous major disappointments, most notably one-stroke losses to Payne Stewart in the 199 U.S. Open and to David Toms in the 2001 PGA Championship are both distant memories.
The PGA Grand Slam of Golf goes from November 22-24 at the Po‘ipu Bay Golf Course.
PGA Grand Slam info
Format: 36 holes stroke play
Purse: 1st: $400,000, 2nd: $250,000, 3rd: $200,000, 4th: $150,000.
Starting Times: Monday, November 22, Pro-Am: 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, November 23, First Round: 9 a.m., Wednesday, November 24, Final Round: 9 a.m.
Tickets: Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday: $40, Monday only (Pro-Am, Nov. 22): $10, Tuesday only (First Round, Nov. 23): $20, Wednesday only (Final Round, Nov. 24): $20.
Advance Ticket Sales: 1-800-PGA-TCKT. For more information or questions, contact PGA Ticketing at 1-800-PGA-TCKT (1-800-742-8258) or visit PGA.com.
Free Junior Tickets: In an effort to encourage the attendance of juniors, free juniors tickets will be offered to children 17 years of age and under who must be accompanied by a ticketed adult. Junior tickets are available at all admission gates.
Gate Hours: Monday, Nov. 22: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 23: 8 a.m.-3 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 24: 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
(You will be requires to wear your ticket where itcan be seen at all times while on the grounds of the Grand Slam.)
Golf Shop: The Po‘ipu Golf Shop and Merchandise tent will be open to view a wide variety of Grand Slam logoed golf attire and collectable memorabilia that is available for purchase.
Concessions: Food and beverage concession stands are located at 18 green, 16 green, and the practice range. In addition, mobile beverage carts are continuously following play.
Parking and Shuttle Info: Shuttle service is offered to all spectators free of charge. Continuous shuttle service will be available from the Po‘ipu Bypass Road. Shuttle service to the golf course will begin at 8 a.m. each morning and will run continuously until one hour after play each day. The parking area is less than 5 minutes from the Po‘ipu Bay Golf Course. No public parking will be found near the course. Patrons are encouraged to utilize the free public parking. Walking along Po‘ipu Road is unsafe and discouraged.
Live Television Coverage: The PGA Grand Slam of Golf is one of the world’s premiere golf events, with extensive television coverage to 86.2 million U.S. homes on TNT and will be seen in more than 100 countries worldwide: Tuesday, Nov. 23, 3 – 3 p.m., EST – Preview Show, 3:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. EST, 12:00 p.m. – 4 p.m. local Hawai‘i. Wednesday Nov. 23, 4 – 7 p.m. EST, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. local Hawai‘i.
