Iconic, fan-friendly Southern California native has enjoyed tremendous success in the Coachella Valley
(LA QUINTA, Calif.) – Phil Mickelson, one of eight multiple event champions and one of the most popular players of his generation, has committed to play the 2016 CareerBuilder Challenge in partnership with the Clinton Foundation.
No matter the venue, Mickelson has enjoyed a great deal of success in the tournament. He is third (behind defending champion Bill Haas and 2005 event champion Justin Leonard) in all-time event earnings with $2,112,252 and has four top-10 finishes in 12 appearances.
Mickelson’s 37 birdies over 90 holes is tied for the tournament record and his four-shot rally to win the 2002 event in a playoff over David Berganio Jr. is tied for the second-biggest comeback in event history.
The titles in the desert are two of Mickelson’s 42 PGA TOUR victories, the second most among active PGA TOUR golfers. Included in that total are five major championships: the 2004, 2006 and 2010 Masters, the 2005 PGA Championship and the 2013 Open Championship.
Mickelson’s career legacy is one for the ages, no matter the era. He has earned more than $77.4 million to go with those 42 victories, five majors and 98 top-three finishes. Mickelson has made the cut in 83.6 percent of his starts (440 of 526) and has finished in the top 25 in more than half – 53.8 percent – of his starts.
“Phil Mickelson is not only one of the greatest players to ever compete in our event, but he is one of the greatest players in the history of the game,” said Tournament Director Bill Tait. “This is an event where he has enjoyed much success and has built a legacy for future players to strive toward. To see him compete in our event is a true thrill for every golf fan, no matter the age, because he is comfortable here and because he is one of the classiest professionals in the game when it comes to interacting with his amateur partners and with the fans.”
Mickelson’s warm rapport with fans is recognized at every venue. He is famous for staying behind after rounds and honoring every autograph request placed in front of him, which he has done numerous times at the Coachella Valley event. On top of that, Mickelson is an active participant in charitable endeavors, giving back through his active participation in The Phil and Amy Mickelson Foundation, the Birdies for the Brave, the Special Operations Warrior Foundation, Homes for Our Troops and Start Smart.
Last season, Mickelson racked up eight top-25s in 19 events, including a T2 at The Masters. He made 16-of-19 cuts and banked more than $2.1 million. He capped his year by going 3-0-1 in the United States’ 15 ½-14 ½ victory over the International Team at the Presidents Cup in South Korea.
Mickelson becomes the 12th past event champion to commit to the 2016 event. He joins defending champion Bill Haas (a fellow multiple champion), Brian Gay (2013), Mark Wilson (2012), Jhonattan Vegas (2011), Pat Perez (2009), D.J. Trahan (2008), Charley Hoffman (2007), Chad Campbell (2006), Leonard (2005), Joe Durant (2001) and Mark Brooks (1996).
Tickets to see Mickelson up close are available at www.CareerBuilderChallenge.com, where limited-time specials on daily and all-week grounds badges are still available. For those fans seeking an extra experience tournament week, there’s Club 17 Presented by Hyundai, which can be purchased on the tournament’s website. Overlooking the TPC Stadium Course’s famous par-3 17th hole – nicknamed “Alcatraz” for its island green – Club 17 features a sports-bar atmosphere inside and views of some of the most exciting golf in the tournament outside.
About the Clinton Foundation
The Clinton Foundation convenes businesses, governments, NGOs, and individuals to improve global health and wellness, increase opportunity for girls and women, reduce childhood obesity, create economic opportunity and growth, and help communities address the effects of climate change. Because of our work, more than 30,000 American schools are providing kids with healthy food choices in an effort to eradicate childhood obesity; more than 85,000 farmers in Malawi, Rwanda, and Tanzania are benefiting from climate-smart agronomic training, higher yields, and increased market access; more than 33,500 tons of greenhouse gas emissions are being reduced annually across the United States; over 400,000 people have been impacted through market opportunities created by social enterprises in Latin America, the Caribbean, and South Asia; through the independent Clinton Health Access Initiative, 9.9 million people in more than 70 countries have access to CHAI-negotiated prices for HIV/AIDS medications; 85 million people in the U.S. will be reached through strategic health partnerships developed across industry sectors at both the local and national level; and members of the Clinton Global Initiative community have made more than 3,400 Commitments to Action, which have improved the lives of over 430 million people in more than 180 countries.
Learn more at www.clintonfoundation.org, on Facebook at Facebook.com/ClintonFoundation and on Twitter @ClintonFdn.
About Desert Classic Charities
Since its inception, Desert Classic Charities, the charitable entity that organizes the PGA TOUR event in the Coachella Valley, has contributed more than $56 million to a wide range of Coachella Valley charitable organizations and Eisenhower Medical Center.
The scope of giving is broad and includes support for structured and mentoring programs for children, social services, and food and safe shelter for the less fortunate. Desert Classic Charities is dedicated to continuing its mission to serve human needs in the Coachella Valley and beyond by generating funds and opportunities every year through the event.
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