Phil Mickelson had a good year in 2021. He did win the PGA Championship, after all, and now, it seems as though he’s adding a new prize to his trophy cabinet: PIP champion.
For those unaware, the PGA Tour’s newly-created PIP — or Player Impact Program — distributes $40 million to the top 10 players who brought the most eyeballs into the sport, which the tour tracks using a variety of different digital metrics.
Exact details of the program have been under fairly tight lock-and-key (though Golf Digest’s Dan Rapaport has some good reporting on it here), as have the standings themselves. That is until this morning, when Phil Mickelson took to Twitter and claimed he had won the prize.
As for Tiger? He finished second, says Lefty.
The combination of hilarious tweeting and a historic major victory, it appears, proved too much to surmount. So in honor of the victory, let’s take a look at Lefty’s 10 most popular tweets over the past year, ranked by favorites.
1. “I’m just curious”
Perhaps a late PIP play, or just a golfer curious for answers, Phil’s recent tweet asking about the Omicron variant was Phil’s most-favorited tweet of 2021.
Serious question since I’m not a dr. If omicron is contagious but not deadly(25,000 cases in Africa with no deaths) why try and control it? Why not let it go and let people get it and develop immunity? Especially for those who won’t get vaccinated? Pls no hate, I’m just curious.
— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) December 23, 2021
2. “BRING IT!”
With Tiger back, could we see a re-booted Tiger-Phil match up? Last month, Phil seemed to relish the challenge.
As I’m hanging in Montana, it’s great to see Tiger swinging a golf club again. I know he can’t stand me holding a single record so I’m guessing HE wants to be the oldest to ever win a major. I’ll just say this. BRING IT!
— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) November 21, 2021
3. “I find this new version of Josh Allen so seductive”
The way into Phil Mickelson’s heart? Dressing like him for Halloween.
I find this new version of Josh Allen so seductive and yet I can’t quite put my finger on what exactly it is 🤔
GoBills 😂😂 https://t.co/Vf84zP9p78— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) October 31, 2021
4. “Who’s the handsome guy in the back?”
Yes, he did win the PGA.
Who’s the handsome guy in the back? Didn’t he win the PGA?
😎— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) September 23, 2021
5. “GoUSA 🇺🇸 “
He wasn’t playing this year, but Phil announcing he would be named vice captain was well-received.
I’m humbled and honored to be a part of this years Ryder Cup as an assistant captain. Thank you Captain Stricker for including me and I hope to help in any way possible. GoUSA 🇺🇸
— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) September 1, 2021
6. “I like Charlie’s recoil better 😂”
To be fair, Charlie does have an amazing recoil. I wonder where he learned it?
I like Charlie’s recoil better 😂 https://t.co/PIhNIeHG8M
— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) December 17, 2021
7. “PATHETIC”
Fiery Phil was not happy at this recent rule change, and his criticism resonated on Twitter.
Word is USGA is soon rolling back driver length to 46inches.This is PATHETIC.1st it promotes a shorter more violent swing (injury prone,) doesn’t allow for length of arc to create speed,and during our 1st golf boom in 40 years,our amateur gov body keeps trying to make it less fun
— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) August 27, 2021
8. “Whatever, I won the PGA 😘”
The comeback to end all comebacks.
Whatever, I won the PGA 😘
— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) September 7, 2021
9. “Happy Thanksgiving everyone.”
Credit to Josh Allen for appearing in not one, but two of Phil’s top 10 tweets.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone. Hoping it’s been a great day. Looking forward to my man Josh Allen (and the Bills) to take it to the Saints. Should be a beat down. See you tomorrow live from The Match
— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) November 26, 2021
10. “crushes my heart 😢”
On the bright side, Phil, at least you won the PGA.
Found out on the Manningcast that TB’s a “babe” guy. The reason this is so disappointing is he called me babe when we were partners in The Match and I thought I was the only one. Now to find out he calls everyone babe really crushes my heart 😢
— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) November 23, 2021
