Phil Mickelson is one of the most celebrated and prominent golfers the world has ever seen. Mickelson defected to LIV Golf last year, inviting immense backlash and scrutiny.
Lefty has garnered several trophies and had plenty of achievements to his name while playing for the PGA Tour. He has around six major titles. And he is the oldest-ever major championship winner, claiming the 2021 PGA Championship at the age of 50. Besides this, he ranks eighth on the list for all-time victories with 45 PGA Tour wins.
Looking back at the time, Mickelson had his first PGA Tour win at the 1991 Northern Telecom Open at Tuscon. And a year after this win, in 1992, Phil Mickelson met his wife, who has been his support system for over 26 years since their marriage.
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Phil Mickelson met the love of his life at Arizona University
Mickelson met his wife Amy, back in 1992 while in college. Phil was a senior, and Amy was his junior at Arizona State University, and a member of the NBA’s Phoenix Suns Cheerleading squad.
As they got to know each other, Phil told Amy he was a professional golfer, and she once recalled that memory by saying, “When he told me he was a pro golfer, I thought he worked in the shop at a golf course”. Thus, she didn’t quite understand that Mickelson was an athlete, and that she would one day be the wife of one of the top golfers in the world.
The couple had their first date at an uncanny venue, on a tennis court. Things went great, and Phil invited Amy to one of his tournaments, the Celebrity Pro-Am in Palm Springs, California, which she gladly accepted. Then, at the tournament, Mickelson decided to do something fun with his lady, and he sent his caddie with a note for Amy, wrapped around a hotel key.
Family and happily ever after
Both parties formalized their relationship on November 16, 1996, when they tied the knot. Three years after their marriage, they welcomed their first child, Amanda. She was born the day after Mickelson took second place at the 1999 US Open. And at that time, Amy did everything possible to delay the date after the US Open, though she was due during Phil’s favorite event of that year.
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Then came their second angel, Sophia, born in 2001; two years after Amanda. In 2003, the couple welcomed their only son, Evan. While giving birth to Evan, Amy had a serious complication. Mickelson remembers breaking down and praying to God for everything to be ok. The worry subsided and both the mother and baby came out of the ordeal healthy and hearty.
Amy was diagnosed with a major, life-threatening predicament
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In 2009, Amy was aloof from making public appearances, and rumors circulated that perhaps they had gotten divorced. But the real reason was that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer. Before the diagnosis, Amy used to attend all of Phil’s tournaments, but that year she missed them due to her ongoing treatments. But in this battle with cancer, she was not alone, as she was supported by Mickelson along with several players and their wives, who wore pins in honor of breast cancer awareness that year.
READ MORE: What are Phil Mickelson’s Kids Doing Now?
Phil even told ESPN that year, that he would suspend his PGA Tour games for an indefinite period of time. Although the lovebirds missed each other in a few of Mickelson’s tournaments, she attended the 2010 Masters Championship in Augusta to witness her spouse win the major trophy that year.
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The couple has supported each other through thick and thin and their bond is a prime example of healthy marriages. What do you think of their amazing relationship? Let us know in the comments below.
WATCH THIS STORY: Who is Phil Mickelson’s wife?