First, 43-year-old quarterback Tom Brady leads his team to a Super Bowl championship. And now, 50-year-old Phil Mickelson is on the cusp of winning the PGA Championship.
Talk about inspiration for the old-timers.
With Mickelson entering Sunday just 18 holes away from becoming the oldest winner of a major tournament in PGA history -- sitting one stroke ahead of Brooks Koepka -- Brady weighed in on his former playing partner potentially making history.
"He's so committed and such a great athlete, it's a pleasure to see him compete," Brady wrote Saturday in a text message to the Los Angeles Times. "His love of the game is inspiring for us all and he is always looking for ways to improve mentally, physically and emotionally! Just great to watch."
Brady and Mickelson could most recently be linked together thanks to their partnership in 'The Match: Champions for Charity', a made-for-TV golf event pitting the pair against Tiger Woods and Peyton Manning exactly one year ago Monday. The event raised $20 million for COVID-19 relief.
Tom Brady nails the putt to get one back for him and Phil Mickelson 👏 #TheMatch2 pic.twitter.com/arfSqmrDf6
— Odds.com.au (@OddsComAu) May 24, 2020
Mickelson's last win in a major came in 2013 when he claimed the British Open. He has not had a Top 20 finish in the last 10 months.
He is he oldest player with a 54-hole lead in a major since 2009, when 59-year-old Tom Watson paced the field at the British Open before succumbing to Stewart Cink. If Mickelson does prevail he will surpass the previous oldest majors champion Julius Boros, who won the 1968 PGA Championship at the age of 48.
93 years old.
— Jeremy Padawer (@JeremyCom) May 23, 2021
Combined age of PGA Championship leader (50) and the Super Bowl winning QB (43).
Grady from Good Times & Rue McClanahan the grandma from Golden Girls combined age was YOUNGER during their show premieres. Fact!@TomBrady @PhilMickelson @SportsCenter @darrenrovell
