News
WATCH: Phil Mickelson purposely hits the ball while moving at the U.S. Open (updated with Phil’s response)
Update: In a post-round interview, Phil had this to say: “I took the penalty, no disrespect to the game, I didn’t feel like going back and forth and I’ve always wanted to take the two-shot penalty, and I finally did… It’s meant to take advantage of the rules the best you can. I’d gladly take the two shots over continuing that display.”
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You don’t see Phil Mickelson lose his cool very often, but that’s seemingly what happened on Saturday — his 48th birthday — at the 2018 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills.
After blowing his bogey putt by the hole on No. 13, Phil ran after his ball and decided to hit it while it was still moving. Phil finished out the hole in 8 shots; adding in the two-stroke penalty for hitting the golf ball while moving, and it was a 10 on the scorecard.
Check out the bizarre scene that Phil Mickelson put on at the 13th hole below:
Wow. I’ve never seen that before.
Phil Mickelson ran after his putt before it stopped, which is a two stroke penalty.
Really, really odd #USOpen pic.twitter.com/Hu08036qjo
— Cam Rogers (@MrRogers99) June 16, 2018
Phil was four-over par in the round going into the 13th hole, and exited the 13th hole at 10-over par after the fiasco. He is currently continuing his third round as regularly scheduled.
Wow.
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News
Five Things We Learned: Thursday at the PGA Championship
It was a year ago that we the north, found ourselves with toes and fingers crossed. The Oak Hill PGA Championship of 2023 finished on schedule, despite the iffiness of weather in upstate New York. It’s 75 degrees today across the Niagara Frontier, which makes it two out of three (2022 was the same way) for sultry, unseasonal weather.
Louisville is, let’s be honest, a much better bet for a May PGA Championship, and Valhalla is an exciting venue for the year’s second major championship on the men’s circuit. Brooks Koepka came in as the defending champion, and Rory McIlroy arrived as the last golfer to win a major at the Nicklaus-designed course. That was a decade ago, and lord, have things changed in the world and golf.
Day one at Valhalla offered walk-in eagles, buckets of birdies, and potential for a record-low, winner’s score. We’ll get right to the meat of the matter, with five things that we learned. After all, if you can make par from the muck, anything’s possible in the land of the horses.
Cam Smith made par from here …#PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/BY5ZFCiH45
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) May 16, 2024
1. X marks this spot
Xander Schauffele went head to head last Sunday with Rory McIlroy, at least on the practice green. By the end of the round, Rors had won for a fourth time at Charlotte, while the X Man sat scratching his head, wondering what went wrong. Fortunately for us, Xander didn’t sulk.
The San Diego State alumnus absolutely torched Jack’s track with 62. Four birdies on the front nine, were followed by five more on the inward side. Schauffele never looked as if bogey was a consideration, and he might have gone even lower. Despite winning the Covid-delayed Gold medal at the Japan Olympics (I consider it a major, btdubs) Schauffele continues to chase an initial men’s major, and the validation that it brings. If 62 doesn’t get you over the hump, who knows what will.
Cam Smith made par from here …#PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/BY5ZFCiH45
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) May 16, 2024
2. Scottie starts strong? Aye.
Last month, Mr. Scheffler won a second green jacket at Augusta National. Last year in Rochester, Mr. Scheffler tied for second in this event. Mr. Scheffler began play today with a walk-in eagle, a one-hop affair that never looked as if it might go anywhere but to its home. Scheffler had a few rough holes, but that’s to be expected from a new dad. Each time he made bogey, he bounced back with birdie, so he has that short memory that winners crave. Surprisingly, Scheffler failed to manage one last birdie at the reachable 18th. Perhaps that miss will motivate him in round two.
Scottie’s shot was so nice we had to see it twice ?#PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/eR1UUsyi3a
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) May 16, 2024
3. LIV Check-In
It’s good to check in on the departed from time to time, to ensure that the fellows formerly known as PGA Tour members are doing well. It’s safe to say that some of them can still play. Defending champion Brooks Koepka posted 67 on the day, He had an eagle and three birdies on the day, with only a stumble at the 17th. He’s tied for 7th. Bryson DeChambeau made an eagle of his own, but also had a bogey, at the 12th hole. He cohabits eleventh position with Cameron Smith, who ALSO had a bogey on his card. They are one shot behind Koepka, and a fistful more behind the leader.
ON THE MONEY ?
Bryson DeChambeau for eagle! #PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/Gz24VikAGQ
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) May 16, 2024
4. Sahith and Tony at Schauffele’s heels
Both Finau and Theegala represent a special sort of athletic golfer. Their power and their charisma blend to draw golf fans to their groups. Let’s be honest, too, and say that they don’t look like the traditional professional golfer. As much as Tiger Woods did in the 1990s, they have the power to bring greater diversity to the sport.
In terms of their play today, well, only Xander was better. Finau had a clean card, with six birdies and twelve pars. Theegala had seven birdies, ten pars, and one bogey. Each combined power and finesse to insert themselves squarely in contention, ahead of round two. How will they, and Xander as well, manage the afternoon putting surface on Friday? That’s the great unknown!
SAHITH. THEEGALA. ?
This hole out puts him in a tie for the lead early at the #PGAChamp.
? @PGAChampionship pic.twitter.com/s3vLZNBQI7
— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) May 16, 2024
5. All those other guys are here!
Rory, Tom Kim, Collin, and Viktor are all at minus-three or lower. Valhalla may not be a traditional golf course, but it is the type of course that the world’s best play well. McIlroy currently sits at minus-five, tied with Robert MacIntyre, Kim, and three others in fourth position. Maverick McNealy finished fast to reach the same figure, as did Tom Hoge. Morikawa closed with birdie to join the sextet at five below. Both Scheffler and Morikawa finished their rounds late on Thursday, meaning they should see smoother greens on Friday morning. If someone is a betting sould, wiser wagers could not be placed on better names than those two, two-time, major champions. Rory will tee off in Friday’s afternoon wave but, hey, he’s Rory, and he won going away last week at Quail Hollow, a course not unlike Valhalla.
The 2020 PGA Champion is making moves.
A solid approach shot from Collin Morikawa ?#PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/DpD7QNfbSM
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) May 16, 2024
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Morning 9: Tiger 2025 Ryder Cup talks continue | Rory: Tour in a worse place with Dunne’s resignation
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 PGA Championship
GolfWRX is on site this week at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky, for the PGA Championship.
While we see fewer equipment changes and new gear seeding at major championships, we get a look at custom gear and looks into the bags of players we rarely see, which is just as exciting. In the case of the PGA Championship, this means a look at the gear some of the PGA Professionals who qualified for the tournament will be gaming, and LIV players, such as Jon Rahm and Patrick Reed.
Check out links to all our albums from Valhalla below and check back throughout the week as we continue to update.
General Albums
WITB Albums
- Michael Block – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Patrick Reed – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Cam Smith – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Brooks Koepka – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Josh Speight – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Takumi Kanaya – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Kyle Mendoza – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Adrian Meronk – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Jordan Smith – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Jeremy Wells – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Jared Jones – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- John Somers – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Larkin Gross – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Tracy Phillips – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Jon Rahm – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Keita Nakajima – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Kazuma Kobori – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- David Puig – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Ryan Van Velzen – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Brad Marek – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Chris Gotterup – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Rich Beem WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Phil Mickelson – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Matt Dobyns – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Lucas Herbert – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Jason Dufner – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- John Daly – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Taylor Gooch – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Dean Burmester – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Joaquin Niemann – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Dustin Johnson – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
Pullout Albums
- Ping putter covers – 2024 PGA Championship
- Bettinardi covers – 2024 PGA Championship
- Cameron putter covers – 2024 PGA Championship
- Max Homa – Titleist 2 wood – 2024 PGA Championship
- Scotty Cameron experimental putter shaft by UST – 2024 PGA Championship
- Joaquin Niemann – new Ping putter – 2024 PGA Championship
- Brooks Koepka’s new Cameron putter – 2024 PGA Championship
- Rickie Fowler’s Cobra bag and Aerojet driver – 2024 PGA Championship
- Super Stroke grip – 2024 PGA Championship
- Tiger Woods – 2024 PGA Championship
- Michael Block’s new TaylorMade “Proto” 7-iron, from address – 2024 PGA Championship
- Odyssey putter covers – 2024 PGA Championship
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Sam McAvenue
Jun 18, 2018 at 2:21 pm
The USGA is comprised of a bunch of bureaucratic type a ssholes. I am proud of Phil giving them a swift kick to the nuts.
Austin
Jun 18, 2018 at 10:52 am
What he did is disrespectful to the game of golf. Abide by the rules, the course conditions are the same for everyone. There is no excuse for this and he should withdraw from the tournament. He is lucky he did not get disqualified…
John
Jun 18, 2018 at 4:30 am
First of all, let me point out that I am in no way defending Mickelson because I’m a fan. I’m far from it. His betrayal of Tom Watson in the post-Ryder Cup press conference was unforgivable in my eyes and belied his ‘nice guy’ image (which I never really bought in the first place).
To the matter in hand… although his actions were clearly not in the spirit of the game, the penalty he incurred is the one laid down in the rules and no further action should be taken against him. The question nobody seems to be asking is what action is going to be taken against the people responsible for setting the course up in such a way that the world’s best golfers looked like weekend hackers? The PGA came out and stated that they’d got it right this year and there would be no repeat of the errors of the recent past. This was probably the biggest shambles of them all yet no one is demanding the people responsible step down. Mickelson acted out of frustration as much as anything and even if they subsequently decide to DQ him I’m sure he won’t lose any sleep over it.
Stixman
Jun 17, 2018 at 12:51 pm
I’m with the opening commenter, Gozieboy.
I’m also looking at this from outside the USA, not bein part of the current US culture and am comfortable with my observations and the timeline of the events. Mickelson deliberately prevented the ball from going into an unfavorable position, not merely ‘hitting a moving ball’. The line taken by him and the USGA official is a ‘Post Truth’ in the best traditions of politically conditioned lying.
DQ…no question.
GozieBoy
Jun 17, 2018 at 9:04 am
The issue most are ignoring, or don’t seem to care about, is that Phil very deliberately broke the rule. He not only violated the letter of the rule, but he violated the spirit of the game. According to 1-2, and the very decorum of the game, that to me demands DQ. Because of that, this is not subject to any further discussion.
Jim
Jun 17, 2018 at 2:07 pm
Completely agree. He should have been DQd. Bad judgement on the USGAs part.
Phil Underhill
Jun 17, 2018 at 6:39 am
He just did it to make a statement about the greens
If he actually wanted to use the rules to his advantage, he’d have been better off letting the ball run out and then declaring it unplayable and replaying the previous putt for a one stroke penalty
Wiger Toods
Jun 17, 2018 at 5:07 am
I don’t understand AT ALL why anyone thinks he should be DQd or should quit. There’s an exact, prescribed penalty of 2 shots, and he was within his rights to do it. Anyone saying anything about a DQ and/or quitting need to look in the mirror, because they’re guilty of flat-out snobbery and are the people who are a drag on the game of golf.
sjn
Jun 17, 2018 at 5:31 pm
You’re complelety wrong and ignorant of the rules. 14-5 does not expressly permit what Mickelson did or expressly prohibit what he did. It simply is an add-on to the penalty he committed by changing the direction of the ball. he broke both rule 14-5 and 1-2 and D/Q was warranted
Steve
Jun 17, 2018 at 3:17 am
There are better ways to make a statement. How many kids were watching that over and over today? If Phil defies the rules does that make it ok? Who needs to “toughen up” doughboy?
Bob Tee
Jun 17, 2018 at 8:16 am
It’s a travesty when all golfers, both pro and amateurs cannot see and realize that the USGA is at the root of Phil’s personal decision. Phil has always epitomized professionalism and respect for the game. When the USGA displays the lack of fairness and lack of knowledge in preparing a golf course, both pros and amateurs suffer.Phil maintained his dignity and respect through this incident and not once did he show disdain for his actions. You need to chastise the USGA. They need to bear this cross, not Phil.
Hogan Fan
Jun 17, 2018 at 9:48 am
Exactly.
commoner
Jun 18, 2018 at 6:10 pm
What a great sense of humor!!
Peter
Jun 16, 2018 at 10:15 pm
If he wanted to really drive home the point of how ridiculous some pin placements were, he should’ve putted back and forth for a while and held up play. I think he should of been disqualified, most anyone else would of been.
Tim Armington
Jun 16, 2018 at 9:22 pm
Phil stays i stay!
Phil goes i go!!
Its a 2 shot penalty and he pegs it Sunday morning in the 2nd group out.
All the golf purists having anxiety attacks over this need to relax.
Judge smail must have rolled over in his grave!!!!!
Bruce Ferguson
Jun 16, 2018 at 8:30 pm
Why doesn’t the USGA just put windmills on the greens like at the putt-putt recreation centers? The greens are about that ridiculous.
Kyle M
Jun 16, 2018 at 8:04 pm
I thoroughly enjoyed what Phil did. Throw a little shade at the USGA. Who knows how many of these you have left. They’ve gone out of their way on numerous occasions to make the Open course nearly unplayable and at times unwatchable. For an organization that wants to grow the game it doesn’t make sense to make it look impossible. The Fox announcers would make you believe that Phil just murdered someone.
Side note: Joe Buck is the worst sports broadcaster in the modern day.
Tom
Jun 17, 2018 at 12:01 am
It’s bad enough listening to him during football season!
Hogan Fan
Jun 17, 2018 at 12:10 am
100% Agreement. The USGA makes the Open qualifiers play a game no one would play. If we were to try to play like that, we couldn’t even find it in the rough, we couldn’t stop it on the green, we couldn’t 2 putt anything and our greens would be dead inside a week. Hmmmm. No other golf course is ever like this (except the week of the Open) so how is anyone supposed to get really good at playing in these conditions? I would rather the USGA tee up the Open at a 6400 yard Muni with smallish greens that run about 8 on the stimp and then see who wins. They would at least be playing the same game we play and when the shoot 58 we would know what that means. I have no idea how what I’m watching even relates to what I do at the local golf course.
PhilDSnuts
Jun 16, 2018 at 6:35 pm
Atta baby phil!!!!!! Fire up the haters!!!!!!
Chuck Barkley
Jun 16, 2018 at 8:29 pm
Of course, a clown named PhilDSnuts chimes in with the “Everybody’s a hater,” nonsense!
Chuck Barkley
Jun 16, 2018 at 5:46 pm
Krik Triplett or Payne Stewart pulled the shenanigans at the Olympic Club’s US Open in 2012. Come on Pickelson, you clown!!
If Oh’Bama did something like that, INSTANT DQ!! Get Pickle off the track for Sunday’s round, having no regard for
protecting the field. He’s dodger of the rules and couldn’t care less!
Harry Balsagna
Jun 16, 2018 at 10:51 pm
I doubt it was Payne Stewart, since he died 13 years prior to the 2012 US Open.
Chuck Barkley
Jun 16, 2018 at 11:16 pm
Harry, your a brilliant specimen! Thanks for your historical and mathematical save. And yes, it was
was the 2012 US Open when Mr. Triplett protested and stopped his ball from trickling down the slippery slope.
What would we do without the astute Balsagna?
Geohogan
Jun 16, 2018 at 11:02 pm
Your right Chuckie!
He let Putin invade Crimea.
Obama would deserve DQ and a fine.
Chuck Barkley
Jun 17, 2018 at 12:23 am
Geo!!! Another brilliant WRX’er!!
Geohogan
Jun 16, 2018 at 5:39 pm
David Fey was correct, Phil should be DQ’d.
Ping eye II, insider trading…. Phil’s character is well known.
Billie
Jun 16, 2018 at 5:29 pm
Phil knew what he was doing, and I didn’t think he was mad, or out of sorts, other than he wanted to stop the madness. Took his 2 strokes and moved on. He was smiling ????
Brett Weir
Jun 16, 2018 at 5:20 pm
Phil knew he was going to get penalized the minute he took a swat at the ball when it was still moving and accepted what was coming to him as a man.
Geohogan
Jun 17, 2018 at 8:01 am
Brett, you the man.
Speaking of ‘man’, Kim Jong-Il back in 1994, the North Korean dictator, scorched the 7,700-yard Pyongyang Golf Course in a stunning 38-under par, 34.(His first round of golf ever, BTW)
he never resorted to hitting a moving ball ruling.
When DT invites Chairman Kim to play at Miralargo, they should invite Chairman Phil, the “Man”.
and David Fay can keep score.
Bart Broesamle
Jun 16, 2018 at 4:11 pm
If he followed the rules as written then whats the problem.Just chuck it in the fu@#it bucket and move on!
LJ
Jun 16, 2018 at 3:48 pm
Never seen that before? John Daly on 5 at Pinehurst if I remember correctly. Tried to run it up the hill long left of the green with a putter and hit it again on its way down the slope
stevet
Jun 16, 2018 at 3:59 pm
Yup…. and both Phil and John did this as contempt for the extreme slopes on these greens. John’s was more contemptful because the ball came back to him and would have rolled off the green it he didn’t stop it… LOL
geohogan
Jun 16, 2018 at 4:45 pm
Phil also admitted that he intentionally stopped the ball to incur two stroke penalty. The alternative could have been worse (off the green, more putts).
In other words he admitted he broke the rule 1-2 (serious breach to gain advantage over the field) and should have been disqualified.
A player is deemed to have committed a serious breach of Rule 1-2 if the Committee considers that the action taken in breach of this Rule has allowed him or another player to gain a significant advantage.
Why is what he did any different from a golfer stopping his ball from rolling into a hazard.
Simply hit the moving ball closer toward the hole and take a two stroke penalty? I dont think so.
Isnt the first time Phil has messed with the rules. Played banned Ping clubs, taken to court over insider trading etc. His character has long been known. The USGA needs to answer for their decision today. Should have been DQ’d, “fire the SOB”.
Geohogan
Jun 16, 2018 at 5:42 pm
as our feckless leader would say.
Geohogan
Jun 16, 2018 at 5:46 pm
as our feckless leader would say. On learning Phil is a follower of our feckless leader, DT would give him a PARDON…. “treated unfairly”.
gunmetal
Jun 16, 2018 at 7:43 pm
I’m pretty sure Phil would have been completely fine with a DQ as well. What’s the harm in sending a little message (your pin placements have become unplayable) when you know you’re completely out of the tourney? I’d wager the rest of the field was happy that he did it.
Geohogan
Jun 16, 2018 at 9:48 pm
Whats the harm?
The integrity of the game. Watch every neanderthal on the course begin doing the same as Phil.
Some are trying to make a living. Money and ranking means something to them.
Phil will take whatever he can get away with/ or without, paying taxes in California.
I wager the rest of the field is sick of the self absorbed jerk.
Peter
Jun 16, 2018 at 10:26 pm
If he really wanted to send a message, he should of putted back and forth for awhile and held up play. I think he should of been disqualified for what he did. By his actions he disrespected the game of golf not the USGA. Hard to have respect for the USGA when they didn’t have the balls to disqualify him. Nobody is or should be bigger than the game.