Between 1997 and 2021, Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson won 21 majors between them with the pair enjoying one of the most iconic rivalries the game has seen.
Obviously, Tiger Woods is one of the most important players golf has ever had. There has arguably never been anyone with more talent. And few have changed the game to the same degree.
But Phil Mickelson played an important role in his career. The 55-year-old was arguably Woods’ most consistent rival, despite the pair rarely competing down the stretch on Sunday at a major.
And what is so impressive is that both men won their most recent majors in the twilight of their careers – and after a significant gap.
Brandel Chamblee suggests whether Tiger Woods or Phil Mickelson is more likely to win a major
Woods won The Masters in 2019 nearly 11 years after his 14th major win. Mickelson became the oldest major champion of all-time at the 2021 PGA Championship at Kiawah Island.
Mickelson continues to impress on LIV Golf. Meanwhile, there is a real question mark over what the future holds for Woods after he missed the entire season with injury.
Perhaps it is no surprise therefore, that Brandel Chamblee has told the Dan Patrick Show that he would be less shocked to see Mickelson enjoy one last dance at the highest level.
“Another act? Do you mean from a competitive standpoint on a big stage? I would probably say Phil. Unfortunately, Tiger busting his Achilles again, I don’t know how you come back from that at 50 years of age, unless Tiger decides to ride a golf cart on the Champs Tour. And I don’t know how that would play out in the US Senior Open, because Tiger has won three US Juniors, three US Amateurs and three US Opens. If he were to go play, and I would guarantee it’s a goal of his to go play the US Senior Open and win it, but I don’t know that he could go ride a cart in the US Senior Open, which you can on the Champs Tour. And I don’t know, even if they would let him ride, if he would do it because he’s such a strong sense of fairness about him,” he said.
“Look, Phil could pop up at The Masters. Jack Nicklaus finished fifth there when he was 58 years of age. Phil still bombs it, Phil’s still energetic, still youthful in his feverish pursuit of this game of golf. And he won a major at dang near 52 years of age. It wouldn’t surprise me. Phil still acts like a kid with a golf club in his hand.”
How Phil Mickelson has performed in the majors since the start of 2024
Admittedly, Mickelson has not had the best major record in the past couple of years. He missed the cut three times in 2025, while he has not finished higher than 43rd in a major since the start of the 2024 season.
However, he finished second at The Masters as recently as 2023. He has a remarkable 12 top five finishes at Augusta National across his career. As Chamblee suggests, that course knowledge means that he has an opportunity every time he tees it up at the first major of the year.
Much will depend on what condition Woods can get back to. The Masters six years ago shows how dangerous it is to ever write Woods off.
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