Why Tiger Woods’ 2002 decision had a massive impact on two of Phil Mickelson’s best ever major victories

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Two of Phil Mickelson’s most memorable major championship performances came during The 2010 Masters and 2013 Open.

Mickelson’s 2010 win at Augusta National saw him finish three shots clear of Lee Westwood to clinch his third green jacket. The lefty’s finishing score of 16 under was one of the lowest winning scores in Masters history.

Fast forward seven years to Mickelson’s 2013 Open Championship victory at Muirfield, where he finished three shots clear of Henrik Stenson. The duo would once again go head-to-head at The Open three years later, where Stenson ran out victorious.

Of course, the lefty’s other major victories are just as important, but these two came under the stewardship of Butch Harmon.

Why Tiger Woods’ Butch Harmon decision impacted Phil Mickelson

Harmon joined forces with Mickelson in 2007, five years after his 11-year partnership with Tiger Woods ended. Harmon started coaching Tiger in 1993 whilst he was still competing as a junior.

Harmon and Woods’ split came after the pair shared differing opinions on where Tiger’s swing was heading. Woods, unsurprisingly, wanted to reach new unprecedented heights, whilst Harmon shared a more conservative approach.

Woods would go on to join forces with Hank Haney, and Harmon would cross paths with Mickelson. Had Harmon and Woods remained together, there’s little chance the legendary coach would’ve started working for Mickelson, the world number one’s biggest rival.

If Mickelson had not teamed up with Harmon, the outcomes of the 2010 Masters and 2013 Open might have been different. The breakup in 2002 seemed to mark a turning point in the careers of both Woods and Mickelson.

• READ MORE: The current PGA Tour star who Butch Harmon named as the only player he coached with a swing similar to Tiger Woods

2008 feud sparked controversy between Butch Harmon and Tiger Woods

Harmon and Woods’ relationship was certainly tainted after the duo split in the early 2000s, and it was in 2008 that things somewhat got out of hand.

Steve Williams – Woods’ infamous caddie – made disparaging remarks about Mickelson, which provoked a reaction from the lefty, Harmon and Woods.

“After seeing Steve Williams’ comments, all I could think of was how lucky I am to have a class act like Bones on my bag and representing me,” Mickelson said on his former caddie, Jim MacKay.

Harmon was left in disbelief by the comments. “I can’t believe he said what he said,” Harmon said. “I think it’s deplorable that he would say something like that. Golf is a game of honour and integrity, and that was a very uncalled-for remark. I don’t think it’s a reflection of how Tiger thinks of Phil Mickelson.”

Woods was forced to apologise on behalf of Williams. Despite being two of the greatest players in the game’s history, Mickelson and Woods have lost little love over the years. This tension has even extended to their coaches and caddies.