Phil Mickelson turns back the clock in Mexico

Strike a blow for the seniors!

Nearing the time when players try to extend their careers on the Champions Tour, Phil Mickelson is playing as well as players half his age.

Ask Justin Thomas.

Perhaps the best player in the world, Thomas, ranked second in the world behind Dustin Johnson, and first in the FedEx point standings, was coming off of a playoff victory at the Honda Classic a week ago.

At the WGC Championship in Mexico City Sunday, Thomas was on fire. He closed an incredible weekend with scores of 62-64, an amazing 16-under-par, after a slow start to the tournament.

In improbable fashion, the 24-year-old Thomas eagled the 18th hole to put himself in a playoff with Mickelson, who closed fast with scores of 65-66 on Saturday and Sunday to earn his spot. Mickelson narrowly missed winning it in regulation when a 16-foot putt slipped around the hole.

Undaunted, Mickelson won the tournament on the first playoff hole with a solid par on the 17th hole while Thomas bogeyed.

Mickelson won for the first time since the 2013 Open Championship at Muirfield. He had come up empty in his previous 100 tour events.

Mickelson now has four consecutive top 10 finishes for the first time since 2005, the last time he won an event in a playoff on tour. He is striking the ball well, driving better, putting better and, as usual, scrambling well.

“Lefty” has suddenly found his game again. He has four consecutive top 10 finishes and he has moved up to 18th in the world rankings and third in the FedEx points standings.

At 7,800 feet above sea level, Mickelson soared above the field at the age of 47. He turns 48 in June. Someone forgot to tell him that he is not supposed to be competing this well, playing this well and winning on the PGA tour at that age.

For the record, Sam Snead is the oldest player to win a PGA tour event, doing so at the age of 52 in 1965.

Thomas and Jordan Spieth are the future of golf. Dustin Johnson is the present. Mickelson proved that he is not yet the past, a has-been. He still has the game, on a good weekend, to beat virtually anyone in the world.

It was the 43rd PGA Tour win for Mickelson and his 46th win worldwide. The 43 wins place him ninth all-time. He is certainly one of the best players ever. His resume is not yet complete. That is good for the game, as is the return of Tiger Woods to being competitive, if not in championship form.

The ship is no longer listing. It is on course to perhaps make Mickelson a factor, a contender to add to his total of five major titles in 2018. After watching him last year, I never thought those words would apply to him. I am glad I was wrong.