Phil Mickelson stunned Jim Nantz in his backyard with Pebble Beach moment

While the golf world constantly looks toward the next major championship or the latest LIV Golf leaderboard, every so often a moment from the archives resurfaces to remind fans of the pure magic Lefty is capable of producing.

One such moment occurred in June 2019, just ahead of the U.S. Open, when Phil Mickelson turned a casual visit to Jim Nantz’s home into a viral highlight reel.

Nantz, the iconic voice of CBS Sports, famously has a replica of the par-3 7th hole at Pebble Beach in his own backyard.

It is a scenic, meticulously maintained shrine to one of golf’s most famous holes, complete with the same yardage and the crashing Monterey Peninsula backdrop. Over the years, many pros and celebrities have taken a crack at the “Backyard 7th,” but few have done it with the flair of Mickelson.

During a gathering at Nantz’s home, Mickelson stepped up to the tee box with his signature swagger. With Nantz and a small crowd watching, Mickelson didn’t just hit a good shot—he lived up to his “Phil the Thrill” moniker.

Mickelson lofted a wedge high into the air, watching as the ball tracked perfectly toward the flagstick. The ball landed softly and rolled straight into the cup for an improbable hole-in-one.

The reaction was instantaneous.

As the ball disappeared, Nantz could be heard in the background offering a celebratory shout, while Mickelson reacted with the nonchalance and bravado of a man who fully expected the outcome.

In a video that quickly went viral, Mickelson didn’t just celebrate; he opted for a classic club drop.

After seeing the ball drop, Phil turned toward the camera, let his wedge fall to the turf like a microphone at the end of a stand-up set, and walked off the tee box.

It was a masterclass in showmanship that served as a loud response to any doubters questioning his form heading into the tournament.

“That’s how it’s done,” Mickelson joked after the feat, having conquered the mini-Pebble Beach just days before he was set to compete at the real course for the U.S. Open.

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Despite the backyard heroics and the momentum of winning the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am earlier that season, Mickelson’s performance at the 2019 U.S. Open was a bit of a letdown for fans hoping to see him complete the career Grand Slam.

Playing at a venue where he had historically dominated, Mickelson struggled to find consistency over the four days. He opened with a respectable 1-over 72 and briefly surged into the mix with a 2-under 69 on Friday, but the weekend proved difficult.

He ultimately finished in a tie for 52nd place at 4-over par, largely undone by a frustrating third-round 75 that included a triple-bogey on the 18th hole.

Interestingly, while his scorecard didn’t reflect it, Mickelson was notably upbeat during the week, celebrating his 49th birthday on Sunday and surprisingly praising the USGA for the course setup—a rare compliment from a player who had often been one of their most vocal critics.

Since that backyard moment, Mickelson’s career has been a whirlwind of highs and lows, punctuated by a historic triumph at the 2021 PGA Championship.

At 50 years old, Lefty became the oldest major champion in golf history, conquering the brutal winds of Kiawah Island to claim his sixth major title.

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The win was vintage Phil, highlighted by a spectacular hole-out from a sandy waste area on the fifth hole, serving as an iconic “told you so” moment for the ages.

Currently, Mickelson captains HyFlyers GC in the LIV Golf League.

After a 2025 season that showed flashes of his classic form, including a podium finish in Hong Kong, his 2026 campaign is on a brief hiatus.

With the 2026 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills later this year, the stakes are at an all-time high; his five-year major exemption has expired, meaning he’ll likely need a special invitation from the USGA or a successful qualifying run to keep his career Grand Slam dream alive.