Veteran campaigner Phil Mickelson was embroiled in a controversy during the third round of the recently concluded U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills. On the 13th green, Mickelson missed a bogey putt, which was headed down a slope.
Then Mickelson ran after the moving ball and intentionally hit it back to the hole. Mickelson received a two-stroke penalty for his action that gave him a score of 10 on that hole.
With the penalty, Mickelson finished the round with an 81. According to Mickelson's playing partner, Andrew Johnston, he was surprised by the veteran's move, calling it "a moment of madness."
Johnston was not the only one surprised with Mickelson's move. Some professional golfers and golf experts believe that the USGA should have disqualified Mickelson from the tournament for his action.
Mickelson Defended His Action
However, Mickelson defended his action, saying it was in the rule book, specifically Rule 14-5. While "sometimes it gets a little goofy," Mickelson says his move was "all within the rules."
Mickelson also admitted that he wanted to do that in several tournaments where he played in. According to the veteran, he simply chose to receive a two-stroke penalty rather than play the ball from off the green. The veteran golfer said his action was not disrespectful, and he was only taking advantage of the rules as "best as [he] can."
Mike Davis, USGA chief executive, said the penalty given to Mickelson was the only thing that they could do, and a disqualification was out of the equation. According to Davis, the USGA simply implemented what the rule book states, which is a two-stroke penalty.
Davis said the penalty could have been different had Mickelson stopped the moving putt or hit it in another direction. The USGA was forced to speak about Mickelson's action following calls for his disqualification from the U.S. Open.
Mickelson rebounded from his poor performance in the third round by firing a one-under-par 69 in the final round. Mickelson finished in a tie for 48th place with Tim Wilkinson, Ross Fisher, Luis Gagne, Peter Uihlein, Matt Parziale, Brandt Snedeker, and Jim Furyk.
Koepka Wins Back-To-Back US Open title
Brooks Koepka fired a two-under-par 68 in the final round to successfully defend his U.S. Open crown by one stroke. Koepka bagged the top prize of $2.16 million. Koepka edged out Tommy Fleetwood, who fired a seven-under-par 63 in the final round.
Fleetwood earned $1.296 million for his effort. Dustin Johnson, who led the first three rounds of the event, fired an even-par 70 in the final round to finish third.
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