Mickelson hitting putt while ball was still moving?

[15th Club]

I agree. It's confusing, too, because Rule 14-5 points you to Rule 1 in cases where it's intentional. And then Rule 1 points you back to rule 14-5. Which one do we listen to?

 

Phil essentially found a loop hole.

 

And the rules people seem to be picking and choosing which rule to follow.

 

Writing rules for golf is extremely hard. I think what we can all probably agree on in this case (including Phil), is that this wasn't the right thing to do.

 

They should just change the rule to hitting a moving ball on purpose to a DQ.

 

His action met the definition of making a stroke at the ball, so it Rule 14-5. Stopping or deflecting a ball is a different action than making a stroke.

 

I'm not sure why one action is DQ for serious breach, but not the other.

 

But I don't agree that it should be automatic DQ. There would be plenty of scenarios where it isn't a serious breach, and 2 stroke penalty is appropriate.

 

Intentionally breaking a rule to "gain an advantage" is cheating. That's a serious breach and should be automatic DQ. I think Phil has shown the USGA a pretty flawed loophole in this rule on striking a moving ball. If you accidentally double-hit a ball (T.C. Chen), that's a hell of a different than intentionally breaking the rules like Phil did today.

 

I am not saying he should or not be DQ. If he were DQ, it would not be under 1-2 (didn't breach that rule), or 14-5.

 

The committee could use 33-7.

 

Right. Very good post.

 

Have you looked at any Decisions under 33-7?

 

My hard copy of the Decisions just turned ten years old this year :blush: There is nothing about this situation.

[tannyhoban]

Mickelson should do the honorable thing and wd. I have been a fan since he was in college and I am extremely disappointed in his choice. I was watching this with my 8 year old today and my 8 year old called him out and said Jack would not have done that (my son loves Jack because of the 86 masters highlights and will raise his putter and say yes sir when he makes a longish putt for him). I have been telling my son this week he can't tap the ball when he puts his putter down and then he sees a pro he knows his dad likes do this. Dishonorable actions and he should have been dq'ed.

 

Jacks ball wouldn't have gotten that far.

[straightshot7]

Is the USGA subconsciously having mercy on Phil because they feel bad for what they've done to the field in general?

[NDS55]

Why not just let it roll off and then take the stroke and distance penalty and replay it?

 

I'm sure that he had a zillion thoughts running through his head in those 2-3 seconds, but that one eluded him.

I'm sure he wishes that there was a secondary cut, cuz the fans are likely going to be giving him an earful throughout his his round.

Having an early start should help him with the fans on the front nine anyway.

What time is happy hour in NY on Sunday?

[MK7Golf21]

He was putting for bogey and ended up with a 10, it wasn’t a smart move play wise. Player of his caliber could let it roll down the hill and chip it close up the hill and walk off with a 7. He just lost his cool about getting it too hard downhill

[Quasimoto]

You know what bugs me about this the most?

We have people defending a really dumb move by one of the most talented and successful golfers of the past 70 years. Countless people here will scath a poster complaining about noise and myriad other distractions with comments like " you just have to learn to block it out and focus; or you need to be able to handle these types of situations while playing".

 

Well, Phil is a professional, and I agree there were 3 holes out there that could be argued to have unfair hole locations for the conditions. However, he is entirely expected to professionally "handle" adversity on the golf course. Other players had poor results from tough situations (today a lot) and they did it with class and respect.

Phil should withdraw with as much honour and humility as he can muster.

[AubFan]

I honestly don’t know what is crazier: that Phil redirected a moving ball toward the hole or that people are ok with it.

[bladehunter]

The real problem here is now you are gonna have wise guys pulling a "Phil" on a hole in club events. What do you do then?

 

2 stroke penalty

[eagle1997]

I honestly don't know what is crazier: that Phil redirected a moving ball toward the hole or that people are ok with it.

 

Wish we had golfwrx in 1999, so we could go back and see if they felt the same about John Daly.

[bubbagump]

Lol people act like not caring about a pro golfer hitting a moving ball is the same as something that actually matters in life.

[rafal]

This sight of Phil trotting to the ball and hitting it is an absolute embarrassment to the sport. It is something that cannot be unseen and it will haunt Phil for a long time. I wish he'd reconsider his actions and WD so I can keep being a phan, he’s a fun and talented guy.

[sleepyhead121]

All I know is Beef's reaction to it all made me laugh harder than I have In a long time!

[eagle1997]

Interview with Andrew Johnson suggested that Phil wasn’t acting strategically and didn’t know how the rules committee would respond. That is, maybe the act was more impulsive than Phil let on. This would remove the DQ from trying to gain an advantage.

 

Yes... Phil is lying! This makes it worse.

 

As History has taught us, the lie is often worse than the offense.

 

Phil didn't know the penalty at the time.

 

His post-round interview is 100% spin.

 

 

[Imhappyinthe80s]

I understand and respect the differing opinions. I'm just curious why so many people are upset with cheating or hurting the integrity of the game. I'm not excusing it, just don't understand people being blindsided by it. People use rules to their advantage or flat out cheat and disregard rules in every facet of life, work, taxes, religion, marriage. I would not hold a game, yes, just a game to a higher standard.

[eagle1997]

I understand and respect the differing opinions. I'm just curious why so many people are upset with cheating or hurting the integrity of the game. I'm not excusing it, just don't understand people being blindsided by it. People use rules to their advantage or flat out cheat and disregard rules in every facet of life, work, taxes, religion, marriage. I would not hold a game, yes, just a game to a higher standard.

 

Do you play golf?

 

It IS different from every other sport.

 

 

At least, it's supposed to be different. :(

[iBanesto]

PM took advantage of the rules to minimise the additional number of strokes he believed he would have taken if the ball went behind the bunker.

 

Clearly it was a brain snap. I guess golf gets to everyone at one point or another.

[TreyWingbat]

PM took advantage of the rules to minimise the additional number of strokes he believed he would have taken if the ball went behind the bunker.

 

Clearly it was a brain snap. I guess golf gets to everyone at one point or another.

 

But his playing partner, Beef, stated at the time Phil didn't know what the penalty consequence would be... so this act by Phil was to give the middle finger to the USGA because of how fast the greens were playing.

[Konklifer]

He admitted to purposely deflecting the ball because he said he "wouldn't have a shot". Therefore he violated rule 1-2 and should have been DQ'd. The USGA pussed out.

 

Jaime Diaz and others defending him are embarrassing themselves so they can retain access to Phil.

 

He should withdraw.

[TCWhite]

I believe he did it out of protest of the hole placements. The USGA made a joke out of the game so he decided to add to the comedy.

[JD3]

Id like to see Phil go full "weekend hack" tomorrow ... couple mulligans off first tee, rolling it in the fairway, throwing balls from the rough back onto the fairway, picking up ball on green without marking it, putting it in his pocket after leaving 3 attempts in the bunker and telling his partner to "just give me an 8 there", lol... etc etc

[TreyWingbat]

Just saw this on Twitter:

 

"Phil Mickelson is a putts."

 

Ha ha.

[AubFan]

I believe he did it out of protest of the hole placements. The USGA made a joke out of the game so he decided to add to the comedy.

 

If he would’ve stood tall and admitted this I would tip my hat out of respect to him. But to basically say “I took advantage of a rule because I’m the smartest person ever” is a complete lie and I’ll never respect him again.

[buckeye88us]

https://instagram.com/p/BkGsYAEgRex/

[sfiggins]

Question: If that putt at the moving ball goes in, does the USGA still not DQ Phil?

[NDS55]

Question: If that putt at the moving ball goes in, does the USGA still not DQ Phil?

 

How could that possibly have affected the decision?

[North Texas]

How does anyone who can read the rules, and understand what you are reading, not think he should be DQ'ed? The rules are very clear on this.

[PeanutsDaddy]

Regardless of the result (DQ, withdrawal, or 2 stroke penalty), Phil wasn't wearing a long sleeve, full buttoned shirt today, and that is a win in my books. I was afraid we were witnessing a trend.

[JLew]

PM took advantage of the rules to minimise the additional number of strokes he believed he would have taken if the ball went behind the bunker.

 

Clearly it was a brain snap. I guess golf gets to everyone at one point or another.

 

But isn't that the point of the other rule allowing the DQ? It's my understanding that the rule they cited him under for the 2 stroke penalty is meant for a player unintentionally striking a ball in motion, not deflecting a ball in motion to gain an advantage.

[Man_O_War]

should be suspended for 6 tournaments

[Symeon Star-Eyes]

I was dying laughing at this. Still cracks me up to see him run after it lol.