Phil Mickelson didn’t win the 2023 Masters. However, the riotous applause he received following a superb final round would have fooled some into believing he’d won his fourth Green Jacket. After joining the Saudi-backed LIV Golf circuit, Phil was perhaps the most famous golfer ostracized by the golfing world. The crowd’s approval of Phil’s golfing showed that the old-timer is still a fan favorite.
Phil is still married to his wife of over 26 years, Amy Mickelson
Phil Mickelson is still married to Amy Mickelson, over 26 years after they tied the knot. Amy and Phil met at Arizona State University in 1992. Phil, a senior, was a promising golfer; Amy, a junior, was a member of the Phoenix Suns cheerleading squad.
Amy wrote in One Magical Sunday that she knew little about golf in the early 90s. “When he told me he was a pro golfer, I thought he worked in the shop at a golf course,” Amy wrote. Amy grew up in a tennis family, so Phil invited her to a first date on a tennis court.
Phil and Amy were married on 16th November 1996. On 17th November 2018, the couple’s 22nd anniversary, he dedicated the following message to Amy via Instagram:
“I am so appreciative to have Amy as my partner in life. Her grace, charm, kindness, laugh, smile, and brilliance have made me the luckiest man in the world. Thank you, my love, for sharing our lives together.”
The couple shares three children: Amanda, Sophia, and Evan. In an interview posted on the PGA Tour website, Amy described Amanda’s birth as one of the most magical moments in her life:
“To this day that was the most spiritual moment of my life. What Phil and I feel about having a child when you are with the right person – it was such an amazing moment as a couple. Such a beautiful, bonding moment. I remember never feeling anything close to that in my life.”
Phil almost lost Amy and Evan during his eventful birth in 2003. Evan had breathing complications, and Amy was losing blood via a six-inch arterial tear. Phil told ESPN in 2004:
“I didn’t really get into it too much, but Amy had a very dangerous delivery with the birth of Evan. He had a very difficult delivery, too. He didn’t breathe for seven minutes, and had the emergency nurses not been there with the equipment ready, he might have had some severe brain damage or other circumstances.”
Phil and Amy faced divorce rumors when she was diagnosed with cancer in 2009
Amy’s absence at golf tournaments in 2009 fueled rumors that her marriage was crumbling. However, a breast cancer diagnosis forced Amy’s withdrawal from the public limelight.
Phil withdrew from the PGA Tour to support Amy as she underwent major surgery and treatment. When Phil returned to the PGA Tour, he provided an optimistic update on his wife’s health, saying doctors were hopeful she would make a complete recovery. Phil stated:
“We’re fortunate we believe we caught it early enough to where we don’t have to rush into decisions and we can make some good long-term decisions, decisions that will hopefully prevent this from reoccurring, as well as decisions that will hopefully beat this quickly. We’re getting ready to get started.”
Amy’s return to golf tournaments coincided with the 2010 Masters in Augusta. The tournament was dominated by Tiger Woods’ return following a shocking sex scandal. However, the lasting image from the 2010 Masters was Phil and Amy crying and hugging as they celebrated his sensational victory.
For nearly a year, the golf community had supported Amy and other breast cancer patients by wearing pink breast cancer pins. Therefore, the sight of Amy, in full health, passionately celebrating Phil’s win warmed everyone’s hearts – and diverted attention from Woods.