Mickelson elected to golf hall of fame

SINGAPORE, Nov. 10 (UPI) -- Phil Mickelson, who has four major tournament championships among his 39 PGA Tour victories, has been elected to the World Golf Hall of Fame.

Mickelson was named on 72 percent of the ballots for the hall of fame, the highest percentage since Greg Norman was listed on 80 percent in 2001. A player must be named on at least 65 percent of the ballots to gain induction.

He will be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in St. Augustine, Fla., on May 7.

Mickelson won the Masters in 2004, 2006 and 2010 and also a PGA Championship in 2005. His first PGA tournament win was the Northern Telecom Open in January 1991 when Mickelson was still an amateur. He his most recent victory was the Shell Houston Open last April.

"My thanks go to those who voted me into the World Golf Hall of Fame," Mickelson said in a statement. "It really is a tremendous honor to be mentioned alongside the greats of a game that's centuries old."

Others on the PGA Tour ballot who received consideration included Fred Couples (38 percent), Davis Love III and Mark O'Meara (29 percent each), and Ken Venturi (27 percent).