After winning the 2021 PGA Championship Sunday, becoming the oldest golfer to win a major (50 years old), who else did Phil Mickelson cite as inspiration but another legend who recently became the oldest player in his sport to win a championship: Tom Brady.
In his post-victory interview with ESPN’s Gene Wojciechowski, Mickelson spoke fondly about his time with Brady and what he means to him personally and professionally.
“I’m very inspired by Tom Brady," he said. “He is actually a big motivation because of how hard he works to be the best and to elongate his career. We have some unfinished business he and I. I want to partner with him again in a match, and win. Because we didn’t win last time. We lost on the last hole. I want to do another match with him because spending time with him, it's inspiring, but I learn a lot."
It’s always impressive to see greatness realizing greatness, but Mickelson has gotten a first-hand opportunity to appreciate Brady’s drive, literally, on his turf, as they were partners in last year’s “The Match”, a celebrity golf charity match where he and Brady were defeated by Tiger Woods and Peyton Manning.
Lefty put it out there, and you know Brady, who was one of many to be effusive in his praise of Mickelson on social media Sunday, feels about losing. After Mickelson’s improbable victory (he was a 200-1 favorite entering the tourney) we’ve learned to never doubt these inspirational wonders individually. Might be unwise to doubt them whenever their ageless greatness unites again.
