Play the public golf courses where Phil Mickelson has won big on the PGA Tour

Lefty has won from coast (Kiawah Island) to coast (Pebble Beach).

Phil Mickelson grew up in southern California and played his college golf at Arizona State University.

That might explain why Mickelson plays his best out west, but with 45 career victories on the PGA Tour, Mickelson has proven he can win on public and resort courses from coast to coast. If you want to follow in his footsteps, get ready to rack up some miles in the rental car and at the airport.

His latest win, the 2021 PGA Championship at age 50+, might be the biggest and most memorable of his career. He stared down Father Time and Pete Dye's dangerous Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort to win his sixth major championship. It's the latest in a string of dramatic wins on the East Coast.

He has conquered Florida's toughest public PGA Tour venues -- the Bay Hill Club & Lodge in 1997, The Players Championship on the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass in 2007 and the World Golf Championship-CA Championship on the Blue Monster at Doral in 2009. He's won in Texas at the 1996 GTE Byron Nelson Golf Classic on the TPC Four Seasons Las Colinas in Irving.

And don't forget his magical Scottish double in the summer of 2013 -- winning the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open at Castle Stuart Golf Links, followed by his stunning comeback during the Open Championship at Muirfield.

But the Left Coast is where Lefty dominates. Mickelson has won multiple times at five different tournaments in Arizona and California -- all held on resort and public courses open to hackers and heroes alike.

Stadium Course at TPC Scottsdale

Mickelson has played some spectacular golf in Scottsdale near his old Sun Devils stomping grounds. His three Phoenix Open wins span three different decades, the 1996 Phoenix Open, the 2005 FBR Open and the 2013 Waste Management Phoenix Open, when he nearly shot 59 in winning wire-to-wire.

How to play the TPC Scottsdale Stadium Course: A $15 million renovation by original architect Tom Weiskopf before the 2015 Waste Management updated the Valley of the Sun's premier place to play. If you play right before or after the tournament, you too can experience "Stadium" golf, albiet without thousands of fans booing when you dump it in the bunker on 16.

North and South Courses at Torrey Pines

Mickelson doesn't own Torrey Pines like Tiger Woods (eight victories, including a U.S. Open), but Lefty's track record still looks pretty good. Mickelson captured the old Buick Invitational three times (1993, 2000 and 2001) on the North and South courses. It's no coincidence Mickelson hasn't won at Torrey Pines since Rees Jones redesigned the South Course prior to the 2008 U.S. Open. Mickelson hasn't been shy about expressing his displeasure with the work of Jones at numerous championship venues. He will get another shot at glory at the 2021 U.S. Open next month.

How to play the Torrey Pines South Course: The easiest way for nonresidents is to book a tee time at Torrey Pines a stay-and-play package at the two hotels on site, the Lodge at Torrey Pines and the Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines.

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January 24, 2021
Here are a few things you should know as you plan your San Diego golf trip and want to include a round or two at Torrey Pines.

Pebble Beach Golf Links, Spyglass Hill and Poppy Hills

Mickelson's magical comeback at the 2012 AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am -- his fourth title in the event -- will go down as one of his greatest triumphs. Playing with Woods in the final round, Mickelson outclassed his rival by 11 shots, shooting 64 to Woods' 75, to erase a six-shot deficit and win going away. Mickelson's other wins came in 1998, 2005 and 2007 when Spyglass Hill, another top 25 resort course, and Poppy Hills, renovated in 2014, were part of the Pro-Am rotation.

Premier Monterey Stay & Play Package

FROM $487 (USD)
MONTEREY, CA | Enjoy 3 nights' accommodations at Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa and 3 rounds of golf at The Links at Spanish Bay™, Bayonet Golf Course and Poppy Hills Golf Course.

How to play Pebble Beach Golf Links: The only way to guarantee a tee time at Pebble Beach is to plunk down $575 and stay at the Lodge at Pebble Beach or the Inn at Spanish Bay. Individual tee times can only be booked 24 hours in advance without a hotel stay based on availability. Spyglass isn't much cheaper at $415, including cart. Poppy Hills (normally $250 for a tee time) is a steal for anybody who joins the Northern California Golf Association ($90 during the week).

Omni La Costa Golf Resort

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S1 E1: Omni La Costa Resort & Spa
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S1 E1: Omni La Costa Resort & Spa

Mickelson won the first and last Mercedes Championship during its five-year run on a composite course at La Costa from 1994-98. Much has changed at La Costa since then, including major renovations by Steve Pate and Damian Pascuzzo to the old North and South courses, leading to the renaming of both. The Champions Course (the former North Course) is scheduled to change once again following a major redesign by Gil Hanse to prepare for the NCAA men's and women's Division I championships in 2024-26.

How to play Omni La Costa Golf Resort: Golfers can get stay-and-play packages at La Costa or book a tee time a la carte. Rates range between $95-$135.

Tucson National Golf Club & Starr Pass Golf Club

When Tucson lost its annual PGA Tour event in 2006, Mickelson probably lost a pile of guaranteed money. Mickelson won the event three times in the 1990s, the 1991 and 1995 Northern Telecom Open and the 1996 Nortel Open. All three were held at Starr Pass (which changed its name from the TPC at Starr Pass to the Starr Pass Golf Club in 1993) and the Tucson National Golf Club (now called the Catalina Course). Mickelson's 1991 victory as an amateur proved to be a bit of foreshadowing, didn't it?

How to play Tucson National Golf Club and Starr Pass Golf Club: Both courses are easily accessible through stay-and-play packages or daily tee times at highly regarded resorts. The Catalina Course is the headliner at the Omni Tucson National Resort. Starr Pass, part of the JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort & Spa, features 27 holes by Bob Cupp with an assist from Craig Stadler.

January 25, 2019
Inspired by Phil Mickelson's PGA Championship title? Sean Foley's Ageless Golf is designed to help the golfer over 50 maximize their abilities. With a focus on improving driving distance and developing a consistent draw, Foley lays out the formula for a more reliable swing.

Jason Scott Deegan has reviewed and photographed more than 1,100 courses and written about golf destinations in 25 countries for some of the industry's biggest publications. His work has been honored by the Golf Writer's Association of America and the Michigan Press Association. Follow him on Instagram at @jasondeegangolfpass and Twitter at @WorldGolfer.
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Play the public golf courses where Phil Mickelson has won big on the PGA Tour