PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

May 23, 2021

Phil Mickelson

The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island

Trophy Presentation

Q. It has been an incredible week with a Sunday we will never forget. Please help me in welcoming the senior vice president of Troon and the president of the PGA of America, Jim Richerson. Jim, the floor is yours.

JIM RICHERSON: Thank you, Amanda. First and foremost I'd like to thank the great golf fans here in the state of South Carolina. Unbelievable week. Thank you. The PGA of America is made up of 28,000 men and women that are passionate about growing the game every day, and it's my pleasure to acknowledge the low PGA club professional in field this week, the director of instruction from Yankee Springs Golf Course in Wayland, Michigan, and a member of the Michigan PGA section, Ben Cook.

And now it's my pleasure to present the Wanamaker Trophy to the player that beat the strongest field in golf and made history here this week, the 2021 PGA Champion, Phil Mickelson.

PHIL MICKELSON: I want to thank everybody for coming out and supporting us players the way you have. It's just been an incredible environment.

I've got to thank a few people, and my wife is first on the list because without her love and support, I wouldn't be here, and I can't wait to get back and see her tonight.

My brother Tim, what a great job he did this week, and I am just so appreciative of having him on the bag and being able to share this incredible experience. Andrew Getson, who's taken me from not swinging well to swinging pretty good, just really appreciate all the hard work he's put in to helping me achieve this.

Q. Phil, you told us yesterday you couldn't let yourself get there until you got it done today. 50 years, 11 months, seven days, you are the oldest major champion in history.

PHIL MICKELSON: Thank you. (Applause.)

Q. So now that you have accomplished that feat with your brother Tim on the bag, you can go there and you can take us with you. Tell us how this feels.

PHIL MICKELSON: I mean, this is just an incredible feeling because I just believed that it was possible but yet everything was saying it wasn't. I hope that others find that inspiration. It might take a little extra work, a little bit harder effort to maintain physically or maintain the skills, but gosh, is it worth it in the end, and I'm so appreciative to be holding this Wanamaker Trophy.

Q. We've watched you transform your body over the years. You have talked this week about transforming your mind in terms of focus. You already have a Hall-of-Fame career. What is it in you that continues to chase greatness and execute the way that you just did today?

PHIL MICKELSON: I just love this game of golf, and I love what I do, and I love the challenge of competing against such great players. I mean, what an incredible competitor and tough player Brooks Koepka is, and to have a chance to play in the final group with him was an exceptional honor.

It's been really fun for me to see his development. I remember playing a practice round with him in 2013 at Oak Hill PGA Championship, first time we ever played together, and seeing the way his game has developed, and what a tough player he is. It was a really difficult task for me to go head-to-head and come out on top and I'm appreciative of the opportunity.

Q. We've got to talk about these fans. They had your back all week, and they literally had your back coming down 18. That was an iconic moment in history in the game of golf.

For you, where does this accomplishment rank and where do these fans rank in terms of what you've experienced over your career?

PHIL MICKELSON: Yeah, I don't think I've ever had an experience like that, so thank you for that. (Applause.)

Slightly unnerving, but exceptionally awesome, so thank you.

And for the way you've supported the game of golf for so many years, going all the way back to the '91 Ryder Cup, this place has been a big part of the game of golf. So thank you everybody here at Kiawah Island and South Carolina.