Despite Publicly Bashing Him Several Times, Phil Mickelson’s Nemesis Finally Breaks Truth Behind the ‘Lefty’ Nickname

Phil Mickelson has had a grand career. But he may have been in search of another victory for sometime now. His performance and golfing abilities have helped him in becoming one the most famous golfers in the past few decades. He has earned the fond nickname of ‘Lefty’. However, not many people know of the story behind the nickname. 

These days, Mickelson is making headlines for non-golfing reasons. Thanks to his nemesis who has written an unsanctioned biography of him, Phil continues to be in the news. This time he has revealed a childhood anecdote about the golfer.

How Phil Mickelson got his nickname

Mickelson has shared an intense rivalry with golf journalist Alan Shipnuck from the early days of his golfing career. This began two decades ago, when Shipnuck made indecent comments about his weight gain. Since then, Alan has been on the radar of the golfers who have won majors. 

Last year, he fueled the fire, when he released the book about Phil Mickelson and let out many secrets about the golfer. At the start of the book, Shipnuck gives deep insight into the real reason for Mickelson getting the name Lefty. It happened when Phil used to sit in the backyard of his house and watch his father play.  

Alan writes in his book, “Around the time of Phil’s second birthday, his dad cut down a fairway wood and handed it to him to test. Phil was right-hand dominant, but in that moment he swung the club lefty, perhaps to mirror what he had been watching from his dad.” His father tried to correct him but Phil kept swinging left-handed and his father was impressed by the smoothness and soundness of the action. 

At last, his father thought that he would change the golf club instead, as he told Phil’s mother, Mary. That moment was the origin of how Mickelson was named Lefty.

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What else has Shipnuck written about Phil in his book?

Shipnuck also writes that during the 1999 PGA Championship press conference, the golfer and the journalist came face-to-face. At the time, Mickelson who was suffering from an eating disorder had gained much weight. Therefore, Shipnuck’s hurtful words poked him like a needle. During the presser, Mickelson refused to answer Shipnuck’s question. Later, he called him aside and said, “Some of the stuff in your little web column is bulls**t.” Shipnuck writes in the book. “It was the first time I’d ever known him to employ profanity.”

He continued, “If you have a problem with me, just throw the first punch.” He stepped a little closer. “Just throw the first punch.” Lately, Mickelson has been silent about his journalist nemesis. But after Shipnuck’s latest move the heat is definitely on more than ever.

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