Mickelson hitting putt while ball was still moving?

[lenman73]

Phil took his penalty and moved on. Maybe some other people should too. It took me a while to realize life is too short to be offended by something that doesn't affect me.

[bladehunter]

Can’t change the rules mid stream because you don’t like them. I hate the long putter optic. Hate that rule. Many here defend it. And they’d be correct technically. Does this rule need to be amended ? Maybe. But will not help this situation.

 

There is no debate. There isn't even room for interpretation. Look at the video and listen to Phil's own remarks:

 

- The actual act: Phil putts, then runs after the ball and hits it before it rolls any further, breaching Rule 14-5. Rule 14-5 goes on to state, if it's done purposely, see Rule 1-2

 

- Phil's post round remarks:

• "I've had multiple times I wanted to do that, I just finally did it."
  
• "No question it was gonna go down, into the same spot, behind the bunker, was gonna have no shot."
  

A clear breach of Rule 1-2. However, there is a stipulation that the Committee may impose a DQ in the case of a serious breach. Phil's own acts and remarks are clearly a serious breach.

 

The USGA either decided to ignore Rule 1-2 or were just sackless.

 

Does 14-5 say anything specific about doing it on purpose ?

 

No but it's not the only rule you can apply there. I think USGA let it go because he hit towards the hole. Shouldn't matter.

 

Incorrect. At the end of Rule 14-5 it states: (Ball purposely deflected or stopped by player, partner or caddie - see Rule 1-2)

 

 

Usga explained it. A stroke is not a deflection.

[Fade]

14-5. Playing Moving Ball

 

A player must not make a stroke at his ball while it is moving.

 

(Ball purposely deflected or stopped by player, partner or caddie - see Rule 1-2)

 

It was pointed out elsewhere on the forum that (this) does not apply when a stroke is made at the ball.

[bladehunter]

People griping about this are either mad at the rule of not trying to understand th rules wording . If you look at it in black and white he was within the rules.

[Lagavulin62]

Whats the deal with the USOPEN.com? It says Phil/Rickie featured group but no live coverage? Any live coverage now?

[RodrigoNicely]

So many sanctimonious douchers on this message board. Phil took advantage of the rules. He took a penalty it’s not like he went all Jordan Spieth on the situation!! If you really think he should have been dq’d that first sentence pertains to you.

[dlygrisse]

Where the hell is Ferguson in all of this? Phil's move must have made his blood instantly vaporize. Did he pass out and still not come to?

 

We need more Fergie!

[warfelg]

There is no debate. There isn't even room for interpretation. Look at the video and listen to Phil's own remarks:

 

- The actual act: Phil putts, then runs after the ball and hits it before it rolls any further, breaching Rule 14-5. Rule 14-5 goes on to state, if it's done purposely, see Rule 1-2

 

- Phil's post round remarks:

• "I've had multiple times I wanted to do that, I just finally did it."
  
• "No question it was gonna go down, into the same spot, behind the bunker, was gonna have no shot."
  

A clear breach of Rule 1-2. However, there is a stipulation that the Committee may impose a DQ in the case of a serious breach. Phil's own acts and remarks are clearly a serious breach.

 

The USGA either decided to ignore Rule 1-2 or were just sackless.

 

Does 14-5 say anything specific about doing it on purpose ?

 

No but it's not the only rule you can apply there. I think USGA let it go because he hit towards the hole. Shouldn't matter.

 

It is the only one that can apply. You go to the most specifi. One first. If it covers it. That's it. It does. That's all. 14-5 says 2 strokes. If the balll had stopped. He ran to it and it started moving after he took the putter back it's zero penalty. So it's possible to have done that and received no penalty. If the ball had cooperated.

 

Don't disagree. But they could have ruled that he intentionally did it, then that's when rule 1-2 applies. But they felt he made a legit stroke at the ball so 14-5 is the only one you apply. Don't disagree at all. I think if he never said after the round that he intended to do it to stop the ball from rolling off the green few would be talking about it and IMO some would be talking about it being smart.

[Lagavulin62]

People griping about this are either mad at the rule of not trying to understand th rules wording . If you look at it in black and white he was within the rules.

 

 

Oh I admit I don’t get why it all has to be so complicated. They need to simplify. But I will say again, I have no issue with any player using the rules to their advantage. Maybe more players will apply these into their game and some improvements can be made. Golf shouldn’t be a game of judgement calls on the rules.

[PuttCurseRepeat]

Was hoping that after sleeping on it, Phil would WD.

 

He had almost universal admiration and respect from the golfing public. Now only the miscreants and bababooeys.

[Nessism]

People griping about this are either mad at the rule of not trying to understand th rules wording . If you look at it in black and white he was within the rules.

 

Not to mention who gives a *hit. Dude lost his composure and hit a moving ball. So freaking what? He's a man, not a god. It happens. Time to move on...

[Konklifer]

So many sanctimonious douchers on this message board. Phil took advantage of the rules. He took a penalty it's not like he went all Jordan Spieth on the situation!! If you really think he should have been dq'd that first sentence pertains to you.

 

I'd rather debate my point at the risk of being wrong than name-call while sitting behind a keyboard.

[Lagavulin62]

Was hoping that after sleeping on it, Phil would WD.

 

He had almost universal admiration and respect from the golfing public. Now only the miscreants and bababooeys.

 

 

You can’t be serious? Phil is not the issue here. Anyone who see him differently because of this didn’t really like him to begin with. Nothing wrong with using rules to your advantage. I am actually glad this happened.

[Fairwindsgolfer]

Was hoping that after sleeping on it, Phil would WD.

 

He had almost universal admiration and respect from the golfing public. Now only the miscreants and bababooeys.

?

I agree.

From my humble perspective, it seems the number of golf loyalists are diminishing and it does not surprise me that there is a faction of the golf community who reveres Phil for what he did regarding his "taking advantage of the rules".

Did the USGA screw up this U.S. Open, yes. Do they continue to make awful decisions relative to the rules of golf, yes.

Does that entitle Phil to hit a putt as it's in the middle of rolling down a nightmarish hill, no.

It made him look like a spoiled little child and I hope that he doesn't mind now being compared to John Daly

[Fade]

One of these years the US Open will feature a hole-placement on a green so fast, on a slope so steep, that 14-5 will provide the best hole-out strategy.

[TCWhite]

Phil's going to take it on the chin for this, but by making a mockery of the hole placements he and the other pga players will probably never have to endure that type of stupidity again. Other players are probably very glad he had the balls to do it.

[Shilgy]

There is no debate. There isn't even room for interpretation. Look at the video and listen to Phil's own remarks:

 

- The actual act: Phil putts, then runs after the ball and hits it before it rolls any further, breaching Rule 14-5. Rule 14-5 goes on to state, if it's done purposely, see Rule 1-2

 

- Phil's post round remarks:

• "I've had multiple times I wanted to do that, I just finally did it."
  
• "No question it was gonna go down, into the same spot, behind the bunker, was gonna have no shot."
  

A clear breach of Rule 1-2. However, there is a stipulation that the Committee may impose a DQ in the case of a serious breach. Phil's own acts and remarks are clearly a serious breach.

 

The USGA either decided to ignore Rule 1-2 or were just sackless.

 

Does 14-5 say anything specific about doing it on purpose ? I haven’t read it if it does. Very short simple rule.

A player must not make a stroke at his ball while it is moving.

 

That is rule 14-5

[wobgon]

Double post....Way to go Phil.

[Shilgy]

People griping about this are either mad at the rule of not trying to understand th rules wording . If you look at it in black and white he was within the rules.

A player must not make a stroke at his ball while it is moving.

 

How is that not what PM did?

[wobgon]

Was hoping that after sleeping on it, Phil would WD.

 

He had almost universal admiration and respect from the golfing public. Now only the miscreants and bababooeys.

Wrong......Double wrong. What did he do. I'll tell you. He broke a rule, accepted the penalty for breaking said rule, and moved on.....Despicable.

[bladehunter]

People griping about this are either mad at the rule of not trying to understand th rules wording . If you look at it in black and white he was within the rules.

A player must not make a stroke at his ball while it is moving.

 

How is that not what PM did?

 

It is. The penalty is 2 strokes. He made a stroke at a moving ball. And was penalized the 2 strokes required.

[trackcoach13]

People griping about this are either mad at the rule of not trying to understand th rules wording . If you look at it in black and white he was within the rules.

A player must not make a stroke at his ball while it is moving.

 

How is that not what PM did?

 

Penalty for Breach of Rule 14-5 or 14-6:

 

 

Match play - Loss of hole; Stroke play - Two strokes

[Shilgy]

The rule also does not say two stroke penalty per contract. So...

 

Can I hockey puck out down the fairway, keeping the ball on the move, and hole it claiming one stroke plus two stroke penalty on every hole?

 

Awesome!!! I shot a 54. :)

 

 

Bottom line, at some point 33-7 comes into play. This was a serious breach that should have been a DQ. Golf is a game of hit it, wait for it to stop, hit it again. Cannot skip a step.

[bladehunter]

Look. I’m not infavor or the optics here. Much like the anchor ban rule. But you cannot get past the fact that the rule is the rule. This is allowed.

 

Re write the rule is fine by me. But it won’t make phil or Langer a cheater.

[cbbaron]

Waiting for a player to crack open a beer today and give himself everything in the leather

[bladehunter]

The rule also does not say two stroke penalty per contract. So...

 

Can I hockey puck out down the fairway, keeping the ball on the move, and hole it claiming one stroke plus two stroke penalty on every hole?

 

Awesome!!! I shot a 54. :)

 

 

Bottom line, at some point 33-7 comes into play. This was a serious breach that should have been a DQ. Golf is a game of hit it, wait for it to stop, hit it again. Cannot skip a step.

 

It would be 2 strokes for each time you did it. So no. Not a 54. More like 104.

 

NoThing about 14-5 leads anyone toward 33-7.

 

If he’s covered by 14-5 how dan it be a serious breach ? It doesn’t have any merit to go past 14-5. If you don’t like how soft 14-5 is cool. I agree. But re write it. Don’t conjure up other rules to jump to

[Shilgy]

People griping about this are either mad at the rule of not trying to understand th rules wording . If you look at it in black and white he was within the rules.

A player must not make a stroke at his ball while it is moving.

 

How is that not what PM did?

 

Penalty for Breach of Rule 14-5 or 14-6:

 

 

Match play - Loss of hole; Stroke play - Two strokes

And when penalties are intentionally broken other action are advised to be taken for a serious breach.

 

Edit: fine, two stroke penalty and then dq for serious breach

[TCWhite]

My guess is he really didn't care if he got DQ'd. He'd probably rather be doing something else than being made to look like a clown.

 

I seem to remember a story of Ben Hogan dropping out of a tournament because he refused to have a number pinned to his back. He was not going to be made a spectacle of. His protest kept it from happening to him and the other players.

[bscinstnct]

Phil just eagled.

 

 

*spoiler alert

[warfelg]

I wonder how many guys do the same thing in their weekend groups of missing a short put and raking it back before it stops and don’t call a penalty on themselves