To this day, Brooks Koepka has not forgotten the humiliation that Phil Mickelson refused to sign at the 1999 Masters.
At the age of nine, Koepka was taken by his father to watch the major Masters. By that time, the boy had collected about 50 autographs of big stars. Koepka roams the grounds to explore and add to his collection.
“I decided to get Phil’s autograph before entering the gate. From the practice area, I happened to get lost in the parking lot and met him. I asked for it but he said ‘No’ and ignored it. Maybe I was the only kid. that Phil ignores,” Koepka recently mentioned above Golfweek. He also mentioned this at the Masters 2019.
Koepka spent years angry with Mickelson for being ignored by his father’s legend when he asked for an autograph as a child. Image: AP
14 years later, Koepka turned professional and met Mickelson at a major organized by Royal & Ancient. He brings up the sad memory, but it doesn’t exist in “Uncle Phil’s” memories.
“Phil doesn’t remember. I don’t believe he forgot the first time he said no to a kid asking for an autograph. On the occasion of testing the field with Phil before The Open Championship 2014, I had to say it. ignore me. Because of that, I hated you for a long time. Phil immediately turned to ask and now I have his autograph,” Koepka said.
He owns eight championships on the PGA Tour, including four majors, including winning both the 2018 and 2019 PGA Championship.
In the final round of this year’s tournament, Koepka and Phil Mickelson hit the same group, starting the last round. After 17 holes, the American player, born in 1990, still had a chance to compete for the title because of his compatriot, although he was at the top of the table and led him by two strokes, but there was one hole left. With Koepka holding par 18, Mickelson won at -6, picked up $2.16 million and became the oldest major champion. Koepka and Louis Oosthuizen finished T2 at -4, each receiving $1.056 million.
After that, Koepka expressed frustration at being pushed and touched on her right knee while the audience flooded the field to celebrate Mickelson.
Mickelson will turn 51 on June 16 with a current record of six majors in 45 PGA Tour titles in three decades. On the world men’s golf rankings (OWGR), Koepka accumulated 47 weeks at the top, while Mickelson only reached the maximum of second. However, Mickelson has been in the top 10 OWGR for more than 700 weeks, in the top 50 for more than 25 years in a row.
Mickelson is born right-handed, but swings the club on the opposite side, earning him the nickname “Lefty”.
Quoc Huy synthetic
More information
The 12bet dealer gives away 577 KS for free when participating in sports betting games, online casino gambling, lottery, lottery, … for real money. Winning will be withdrawn directly in cash and transferred to major bank accounts
Link 12bet registration receive 577 KS free
