All-Time Story of Phil Mickelson Stealing Augusta National Sign

Phil Mickelson, the charismatic golfing legend, is as renowned for his playful spirit as he is for his prowess on the green. His latest escapade? A tale of mischief and sign-stealing from the hallowed grounds of Augusta National Golf Club, the home of the Masters Tournament.

The story takes us back to 2004 when Phil Mickelson’s short-game coach, Dave Pelz, introduced a towel drill that would become a cornerstone of Phil’s practice routine. By placing towels at various distances on the range and aiming at them, Mickelson honed his precision—a skill that contributed significantly to his first major win at the 2004 Masters.

But the following year, Phil Mickelson encountered an unexpected adversary at his favored East practice range—a sign sternly stating the following:

“East practice tee for short game practice only.”

Not one to be easily deterred, Mickelson decided it was time for some covert operations. After the Champions Dinner in 2005, under the cloak of dusk, Mickelson embarked on a clandestine mission. He recounts:

“I kind of crawled under the magnolias, and I take that sign and I wiggle and I wiggle and I lift and I yank it out and I throw it in the back of my SUV and off I go.”

With the sign gone, Mickelson resumed his beloved towel drill, much to the confusion of anyone who noticed the sign’s mysterious disappearance.

An all time #themasters story from @PhilMickelson. Just fantastic. pic.twitter.com/5KC2kigRdj

— LIV Golf Updates (@LIVGolfUpdates) April 8, 2024

Phil Mickelson did it not once, but twice

The plot thickened in 2006 when, to Phil Mickelson’s dismay, the sign made an unexpected comeback. Undaunted, Mickelson repeated his previous year’s heist, only this time, his antics were immortalized by the ever-watchful security cameras. The footage of Mickelson’s comedic caper, crawling under the magnolias with the stealth of a cat burglar, added a layer of hilarity to the already absurd situation:

“I crawl under the magnolias and I wiggle and wiggle and get this sign out. I throw it in the back of my truck and off I go So I show up the next day and I’m going to go do my towel drill and there’s another sign there. So it never done on me there are cameras everywhere and there’s some video of me crawling under the magnolias with the guys saying ‘look at this idiot’ like ‘what are you doing'”

Phil Mickelson’s misadventures culminated in a social media post where he shared the entire saga, complete with a mischievous grin and a punchline that only Phil could deliver:

“A lot of you might bet that that’s not a true story,” he teased. “Now, I’m not a betting man, so I’m not going to take it, but I wouldn’t do that, because it’s a true story.”

And then he showed the hallowed sign.

This whimsical tale of sign-stealing is quintessential Mickelson—a blend of humor, audacity, and a touch of the theatrical. It’s a reminder that behind the intense focus and competitive drive of professional athletes, there’s room for playfulness and fun. For golf fans and casual observers alike, Mickelson’s story is a delightful anecdote that brings a smile and a light-hearted moment to the often-serious world of sports.