Connect with us

News

WATCH: Phil Mickelson purposely hits the ball while moving at the U.S. Open (updated with Phil’s response)

Published

on

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.”

—–

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:

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.

Your Reaction?
  • 59
  • LEGIT7
  • WOW23
  • LOL33
  • IDHT3
  • FLOP1
  • OB5
  • SHANK55

He played on the Hawaii Pacific University Men's Golf team and earned a Masters degree in Communications. He also played college golf at Rutgers University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.

39 Comments

39 Comments

  1. 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.

  2. 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…

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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.

  9. 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.

  10. 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!!!!!

  11. 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.

  12. 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.

  13. PhilDSnuts

    Jun 16, 2018 at 6:35 pm

    Atta baby phil!!!!!! Fire up the haters!!!!!!

  14. 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.

  15. 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.

  16. 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 ????

  17. 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.

  18. 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!

  19. 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.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

News

Five Things We Learned: Thursday at the PGA Championship

Published

on

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

Your Reaction?
  • 0
  • LEGIT0
  • WOW0
  • LOL0
  • IDHT0
  • FLOP0
  • OB0
  • SHANK0

Continue Reading

News

Morning 9: Tiger 2025 Ryder Cup talks continue | Rory: Tour in a worse place with Dunne’s resignation

Published

on

By Ben Alberstadt with Gianni Magliocco.

For comments: [email protected]

Good Thursday morning, golf fans, as day one of the PGA Championship gets underway from iconic Valhalla.

1. Waugh: 2025 Ryder Cup talks continue with Tiger

Golf Channel’s Ryan Lavner…”PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh said Wednesday that the organization continues to have conversations with Tiger Woods about captaining the U.S. Ryder Cup team in 2025 and there remains no firm deadline to get their pick in place for Bethpage Black.”

  • “A day earlier, Woods told reporters here at the PGA Championship that he is undecided about taking on the role next year…”
  • “He doesn’t do anything that he’s not fully committed to,” Waugh said, “and we totally respect that.”
  • “Still, the PGA’s decision to hold off on naming an American captain for the September 2025 matches is a significant departure – at least three months late – from the past five captains.”
Full piece.

2. Rory: Tour in a worse place with Dunne’s resignation

Golf Channel’s Rex Hoggard…”McIlroy, who has become an outspoken proponent of a deal with PIF, was denied a spot on the board last week but was named to the “transaction subcommittee,” which will spearhead the day-to-day negotiations. But the loss of Dunne will be a blow to those talks, the world No. 2 said.”

  • “Honestly I think it’s a huge loss for the PGA Tour if they are trying to get this deal done with the PIF and trying to unify the game,” McIlroy said. “Jimmy was basically the relationship, the sort of conduit between the PGA Tour and PIF.
  • “It’s been really unfortunate that he has not been involved for the last few months, and I think part of the reason that everything is stalling at the minute is because of that.”
Full piece.

3. Brandel on AK’s criticism: I thought it was a LIV bot

Our Matt Vincenzi…”On Tuesday during an interview with GolfWRX, Chamblee addressed the feud between Kim and himself.”

  • “At first, I thought it was a bot. But it’s not, it was just somebody who’s been bought.
  • “I thought it was juvenile. Social media is a perfect place for juveniles to go behave like children, like the ball pit at McDonalds without adult supervision. I’m sure Anthony Kim scrolls and gets positive comments and says ‘yeah, these people get me! I’m doing the right thing’. And it’s just juvenile and sad is what it is. I feel sorry for him.”
Full piece.

4. Aberg (knee) ready for PGA

Cameron Morfit for PGATour.com…”Ludvig Åberg said lingering knee soreness that kept him out of the Wells Fargo Championship last week will not be an issue at this week’s PGA Championship.”

  • “The world No. 6 Åberg, who finished second at the Masters Tournament in his very first major start last month, allowed that he is wearing a brace as a precautionary measure.”
  • “Knee’s good,” said Åberg, 24. “It was more of a safety concern last week that I didn’t play. I’m consulting with my doctors, and I trust them with everything that I have, so it’s not bothering me at all this week, and I look forward to playing. I’m wearing a brace just for safety reasons, but it’s nothing that’s bothering me. I’m focusing on the golf.”
Full piece.

5. Masters employee pleads guilty to stealing millions in memorabilia

Sean Leahy for Yahoo Sports…”A former employee of Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia pleaded guilty on Wednesday to transporting millions of dollars worth of stolen Masters memorabilia and historic items, including a green jacket belonging to Arnold Palmer.”

  • “According to federal prosecutors, 39-year-old Richard Globensky made around $5 million over the course of a decade from selling items stolen from the Augusta National warehouse, which were then transported to another party in Florida.”
  • “Globensky pleaded guilty to one count of transporting stolen goods across state lines. As part of his plea, he must hand the government a $1.5 million check this week.”
Full piece.

6. Chamblee on why Rory hasn’t won a major

Our Matt Vincenzi…”While speaking with GolfWRX, Golf Channel’s Brandel Chamblee gave his opinion as to why McIlroy has come up empty.”

  • “I just think he can’t find a place mentally where he plays his best golf.”
  • “If you go back and look at what he did from 2011-2014, in that stretch, he led roughly 20% of the rounds he played in major championships. His game has not fallen off, not one bit.
  • “He’s, on paper, pretty much the same player he was. He’s not quite the ball striker he was 2011-2014, not quite, but he’s made up for it with his short game around the greens and on the greens. He’s almost the same player.”
  • “Yet, he’s led just two rounds beginning with the 2015 Masters to the 2024 Masters. I just think that tells you he can’t find the proper way to prepare, the proper way to ease into a round. When he’s needed to play his best, he’s played his worst. When he’s played his worst, he’s then followed it up with his best golf. That’ll tell you that he’s just not in the right place mentally.”
Full piece.

7. Why Scottie’s caddie will have a fill-in Saturday

Paul Hodowanic for PGATour.com…”Scottie Scheffler will have a fill-in caddie on the bag for Saturday’s third round of the PGA Championship.”

  • “Ted Scott, Scheffler’s full-time caddie, will miss Saturday’s round at Valhalla Golf Club to attend his daughter’s high school graduation. Scott will leave Friday night after caddying the first two rounds and return late Saturday to loop the final round.”
  • “That’s something we talked about from the beginning of our relationship was family always comes first,” Scheffler said during his pre-tournament press conference on Tuesday. “It’s the same thing for me as it is for my caddie. It was a pretty easy decision. He told me at the beginning of this year that that was the date.”
Full piece.

8. Chamblee: LIV format makes it impossible to judge player talent

Our Matt Vincenzi…”While speaking with GolfWRX, Golf Channel’s Brandel Chamblee explained why he believes the LIV format makes it impossible to determine if a LIV player is playing well.”

  • “Describing the format as “stupid”, Chamblee stated
  • “The format for LIV is just stupid. There’s no other word for it. 54 holes, 54 players start. Willy nilly here and there.
  • “Nobody winning a golf tournament should finish on the third hole on some par three while his closest competitors finish on the 17th hole or the 18th hole.”
  • “When we asked Brandel if LIV players should be in majors, Chamblee indicated that it would be tough to do with no way to truly measure their performance.
  • “It’s just a laughable concept. There’s no way to judge the talents of these players out there. You look at their data, and again, their data is laughable. It’s very hard to hit 75% of your greens and it looks like everybody on their tour is hitting 75% of greens. Who’s keeping their stats? Who’s doing their data? They haven’t gotten their act together.”
Full piece.

9. Photos from the 2024 PGA Championship

  • Check out all of our galleries from the year’s second major!
Full piece.
Your Reaction?
  • 1
  • LEGIT0
  • WOW0
  • LOL0
  • IDHT0
  • FLOP0
  • OB0
  • SHANK0

Continue Reading

Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2024 PGA Championship

Published

on

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

Pullout Albums

Your Reaction?
  • 10
  • LEGIT1
  • WOW0
  • LOL0
  • IDHT0
  • FLOP0
  • OB0
  • SHANK0

Continue Reading

WITB

Facebook

Trending