• US PGA Championship

Nicklaus: Mickelson an 'all-time great'

ESPN staff
July 26, 2013
Phil Mickelson secured his maiden Open Championship at Muirfield © Getty Images
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Jack Nicklaus has lauded Phil Mickelson as one of the greatest players of all time for his three-shot Open Championship victory at Muirfield - and says he is the man to beat at the US PGA Championship.

Mickelson posted an outstanding 66 on the final day by birdying four of the last six holes to secure the fifth major triumph of his career.

The 43-year-old proved he has mastered the links game with back-to-back wins after victory at Castle Stuart the previous week.

The left-hander needs only the US Open to secure the Grand Slam, but first Nicklaus is tipping Mickelson to take his tally of majors to six at Oak Hill.

"Phil's obviously playing awfully well. He would have to be the favourite going into the US PGA Championship on his record the way that he has played," said Nicklaus.

"Phil is going to go down in history as one of the great players of the game. There's no doubt about that.

"His ability to see that he needed to adapt his game to the Scottish conditions was important. He's a terrific player.

"I give him great kudos for what he has done the last couple weeks. I give Phil a tremendous amount of credit and I'm proud and happy for him."

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