Phil Mickelson has produced some of the most remarkable golf shots in history.
A six-time major winner, Mickelson has everything in his locker and we’ve seen countless occasions when he’s produced something out of nothing to win tournaments.
Of course, winning six majors means it’s not all about just pulling off the odd brilliant shot. To win as Mickelson has takes consistency and control.
And according to two-time major winner Johnny Miller, there is something Mickelson does with his golf swing when he’s winning tournaments to ensure he gets over the line.
The Phil Mickelson move that helps him win golf tournaments
We’re all used to seeing Mickelson produce a wild chip shot or bunker shot, and we’re all equally used to seeing Mickelson wallop a driver off the deck or smash one from the trees back into play.
However, what can be overlooked sometimes is Mickelson’s ability to control his golf ball.
Indeed, speaking on a past video about Mickelson’s swing, Johnny Miller noted how the six-time major winner actually does something specific to ensure he keeps his ball in play.
“If you were to comment on Phil’s signature a move, a lot of people would say it is a long backswing but he is a hard one to peg,” Miller admitted.
“He has a very neutral and good set up. But I would say his signature move when winning is that three-quarter shot. He doesn’t use it very much but whenever he is winning championships, he’ll dial that big old swing of his back down and hit a lot of three-quarter shots.
“And when he is doing that, he can keep the ball in play, has more control and I believe is what makes Phil come alive. He has a tendency to want to overswing and hit the ball too hard so for the average guy, maybe choke down a little on some shots.
“As Trevino told me, he said ‘if you’re choking and hit it lower it doesn’t have time to get off line’ and that’s what Phil does. Normally hits this high launch shot but when he hits that three quarter, he keeps the ball down, under control, his parameters are much narrower and that applies to Tiger Woods’ stinger.”
Why Johnny Miller thinks Phil Mickelson didn’t win more majors
Mickelson might have won six majors but there is a feeling among some that it could have been even more.
Indeed, the man explaining his signature move here believes it could have been more.
Comparing Mickelson’s style to that of Arnold Palmer and Greg Norman, Miller believes Mickelson might have won even more.
“You know the one thing that sets Phil apart, it seems like the guys who hit it in the trees are the most popular for the fans because they get to see it close up”, Miller said about Mickelson back in 2014.
“It’s funny. Arnold Palmer was that way and guys who spray it a little, like Tiger Woods, I guess the fans sort of relate to their recovery shots.
“But Phil’s been really good for the game and he takes time out for people and you know, 42 wins (at the time) in the modern era, if it wasn’t for Tiger he would be the man. And he can beat Tiger when he gets hot. He likes to go the thrill route and just like Palmer and Greg Norman, they might even have won more tournaments if they could have picked their spots a bit more but that’s what makes Phil so exciting to watch.”
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