First published 2022
Alan Shipnuck presents an unauthorized examination of Phil Mickelson, the golfer who became the oldest major championship winner at age fifty-one during the 2021 PGA Championship. The Sports Illustrated writer spent decades covering Mickelson's career and witnessed his biggest victories and public failures firsthand. Shipnuck reveals the true extent of Mickelson's gambling losses, documents the bitter split with caddie Jim "Bones" Mackay, and uncovers the hidden story behind Mickelson's involvement with the Saudi golf league. The book contrasts Mickelson's extroverted personality with Tiger Woods' reserved nature, showing how their rivalry shaped both careers. Where Woods faced scandals and injuries, Mickelson maintained his relevance through longevity and showmanship. Shipnuck balances criticism with recognition of Mickelson's charitable acts and personal generosity. The biography captures a complex athlete whose professional success coexisted with personal contradictions and public controversies throughout three decades of elite competition.
Genres: biography, american, sports, 21st-century
Vibes: emotional, fast-paced, thought-provoking
Tropes: rivals-to-lovers, unreliable-narrator
Period: 2021, 3 Decades
126 pages · Paperback · Lulu.com