Phil Mickelson wins PGA Championship at Kiawah Island's Ocean Course to become oldest major winner

Mickelson, who turns 51 next month, holds off Brooks Koepka and Louis Oosthuizen for 2-stroke victory at Kiawah's Ocean Course

One month shy of his 51st birthday, Phil Mickelson is a major champion again. He held off Brooks Koepka and Louis Oosthuizen on Sunday to win the 103rd PGA Championship at Kiawah Island's Ocean Course among a swarming gallery that followed him up the final fairway along the South Carolina coast.

Mickelson shot 1-over 73 for a 6-under 282 total. Oosthuizen (73) and Koepka (74) tied for second at 284.

"This is just an incredible feeling because I always believed it was possible," Mickelson said. "I hope others take inspiration from it.

"I just love this game of golf and what I do."

It was Mickelson's 45th PGA Tour victory, including six major championships, one of which was the 2005 PGA. He had not won on the PGA Tour since Feb. 11, 2019, at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am. It was his first major-championship victory since the 2013 British Open. Mickelson moved into a tie for eighth with the late Walter Hagen on the Tour's all-time victory list.

Mickelson began the day at 7 under through 54 holes, one stroke ahead of playing competitor Koepka and two ahead of Oosthuizen. Dramatic momentum swings defined the first few holes as Mickelson and Koepka swapped the lead. Mickelson took control when he holed a 10-foot birdie putt at the par-5 seventh and Koepka made bogey. Mickelson made the turn with a two-stroke lead and expanded his advantage to four strokes early on the back nine.

Koepka, 31, was gunning for his fifth major championship. He already has won two PGAs, in 2018 and 2019.

(For scores, click here.)

More Morning Read Sunday coverage from 2021 PGA Championship:

Phil Mickelson wins PGA -- is this his greatest thrill?
Mickelson adds to his legend with 6th major, 2nd PGA
Runners-up lament what might've been
List of oldest major champions now begins with Phil
Photos: A Sunday like no other at Kiawah
Final purse, prize money and payouts from 2021 PGA Championship

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