Tiger Woods & Jack Nicklaus Lead Tributes to Phil Mickelson

Tiger Woods led the tributes to long-time rival Phil Mickelson after the 50-year-old registered a history-making victory at the PGA Championship.

Mickelson claimed a two-shot victory on Kiawah Island's Ocean Course to secure his sixth major title and become the oldest major winner ever, smashing the record held by Julius Boros since he won the same event - aged 48 - some 53 years earlier.

A final-round 73 was enough to hold off the challenge of Brooks Koepka and Louis Oosthuizen on the final day in South Carolina to win the Wanamaker Trophy for a second time, 16 years on from his first PGA Championship success.

Victory secures the 45-time PGA Tour winner a five-year exemption to the US Open - the only major he requires to complete the career Grand Slam - with Woods, who missed this year's contest as he continues to recover from injuries sustained in February's car crash, quick to recognise Mickelson's achievement.

"Truly inspirational to see @PhilMickelson do it again at 50 years of age. Congrats!!!!!!!" Woods tweeted.

Truly inspirational to see @PhilMickelson do it again at 50 years of age. Congrats!!!!!!!

— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) May 23, 2021

Mickelson jumps from outside the world's top 100 to world No 32 with his first major success since The Open in 2013 and his first PGA Tour title since the 2019 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, with major champions and notable names from the golfing world turning to social media to praise his victory. It also raised the prospect of him making a 13th appearance in the Ryder Cup, something that was unthinkable just a few days ago.

In a video to Mickelson, released on his Twitter account, 18-time major champion Jack Nicklaus said: "Fantastic golf this week at Kiawah. You played great. You didn't make any dumb mistakes, which is the whole key to winning a major championship. As dangerous as the course is, you played it very well."

Hey Phil, 50 years old is older than 46. Congratulations, my friend. pic.twitter.com/drb8PzftaB

— Jack Nicklaus (@jacknicklaus) May 24, 2021

And Mickelson himself clearly appreciated the comments, responding to players, media and fans in an overnight series of tweets.

Thank you. I’m pulling for your quick return.

— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) May 24, 2021

Even the greatest have been inspired by the new PGA champion.