72nd Green at the 2004 Masters (April 11, 2004)
Some golfers can never get over the hump. Most don't have the ability to compete for golf's major championships. Of the select few with the ability, even less can seize the opportunity to deliver in the most important moments. For years, a player who many considered to have unlimited ability but couldn't seize the moment is the man pictured above, Phil Mickelson.
Throughout the 90's and early 00's, Phil was one of the elite golfers on the PGA Tour. He started off his career with a bang while still an amateur when he won a PGA Tour event in 1991 at the age of 20. He would continue his dominance throughout the years, claiming 21 victories on the PGA Tour from 1991 to 2003.
Despite the success, going into the 2004 Masters Mickelson had yet to capture a major championship. The most painful thing was how close he came year after year from finally getting the "major monkey" off his back. Eight times Mickelson finished 2nd or 3rd in a major. After numerous near misses on golf's biggest stages, golf pundits coined Phil Mickelson as the best golfer to never win a major.
Phil without a doubt is one of the most likable golfers on tour. He's the guy that tips his hat and gives fist bumps to fans between holes. Unlike Tiger Woods who is locked in and tunes out the crowd, Phil Mickelson engages the crowd. He's like that cool uncle you want to spend more time with. Due to his popularity, many wanted to see Phil Mickelson finally break through and claim a major title.
At the end of the 3rd round at The Masters, Phil Mickelson held a share of the lead with Chris DiMarco. Both men were six under par (-6) and owned a two stroke co-lead going into Sunday. This wasn't the first time Phil had the lead or the share of the lead going into the final round of a major championship. Was Phil going to stumble down the stretch or would there be Sunday magic at Augusta?
Sunday at Augusta National is arguably the biggest day for golf in the calendar year. Some of the greatest moments in the game's history happen on this day. Take for example Jack Nicklaus's miraculous come-from-behind victory to capture the 1986 green jacket at the age of 46 or the following year when Larry Mize sunk a 140-foot birdie chip on the second sudden death hole to seal the championship. Augusta National has a special place in every golf fan's heart. To win a major championship in dramatic fashion would cement any golfer's legacy, something Phil Mickelson desperately needed.
The 4th round began not the way Mickelson had hoped. Through the first eleven holes, Phil was two over par on the day which dropped his overall score to four under par (-4) for the tournament. Heading to the 12th tee box, Mickelson found himself down three strokes with only seven holes to play. It appeared Phil Mickelson would fall short yet again at a major championship.
A terrific birdie on the par three 12th hole got Phil back within two shots of leader Ernie Els. He then proceeded to birdie the next two holes to trim Els's lead to one stroke with three holes to play. On the 16th hole, a difficult par three over the water, Mickelson sank a dramatic 20-foot put to pull even with Els. After a par on the 17th hole, Mickelson remained tied with Els who had finished his round. If Phil could card a birdie on the 18th hole, he would be champion of the most prestigious tournament in golf.
After a beautiful drive and excellent approach, Phil Mickelson found himself with an 18-foot birdie putt for the championship. Hundreds of people gathered around the 18th green including Phil's immediate family. After studying the slope of the putt with longtime caddy Jim Mackay, Mickelson stepped up to the ball and hit it. As the ball traveled across the green, the entire crowd stood up as people yelled, "get in the hole". Jim Nantz who was on the call, said as the ball approached the hole, "is it his time.......YES! AT LONG LAST!"
What ensued next was sheer jubilation captured perfectly in the picture above. Phil Mickelson showed the entire world his two inch vertical leap. In most sports jumping around in celebration is perfectly normal. Golf is unique in the sense that it's a gentleman's game where emotions must be kept in check. In this instant it didn't matter what Phil did. He could have moonwalked across the green and no one would have cared. All the standing spectators have their hands raised in the air, perfectly mimicking Phil's arms. It seemed as if everyone in the gallery had won The Masters with that putt.
It was such an emotionally charged moment not only for Phil Mickelson but also for so many others. The fans, media, corporate sponsors, you name it- all love Phil Mickelson. I've heard grown men admit they cried when the putt went in. Phil's winning putt at The Masters has gone down as one of the most iconic moments in the tournament's history.
Since the 2004 Masters, Phil has won the 2006 and 2010 Masters, the 2005 PGA Championship, and most recently the 2013 Open Championship. Tiger Woods is the only active PGA Tour golfer to have more major wins then Phil. Even with all the success following the '04 Masters, Phil Mickelson will be remembered best for rising to the occasion that Sunday in Augusta, jumping for joy with the whole crowd joining in on the victorious moment.
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