Mickelson hitting putt while ball was still moving?

[Fade]

This is what the committee has to go by to execute a DQ:

 

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 or has placed another player, other than his partner, at a significant disadvantage.

 

Not clear cut, IMO.

[Llortamaisey]

I don't care if it saved him strokes or not. Deliberately playing a moving ball is not golf.

 

It may not be golf but at least it’s faster.

[lowheel]

Can you imagine if a player had four strokes to win from short range, hit a putt that wasn't going to go in, and then reached out and tapped it in on the move to win, say, the Masters?

 

It simply cannot be that players have the option to play hockey on the green if the situation dictates that it may be favorable.

 

Ahh were in fictional scenario territory now...

[budnc6721]

lol at the people who lost respect for someone they don’t know. If everyone thinks this is clown golf anyways, isn’t he worse off by having to play tomorrow?

[Holy Moses]

Yes, I do think Phil is lying in his postround comments. A two-stroke penalty should be afforded for accidentally hitting a moving ball. A DQ for doing it intentionally as it rolls down a hill because now we’ll never know for sure if it would have cost Phil strokes.

[LifeAfterBogeys]

The right thing for Phil to do is to apologize and WD.

[Big Ben]

It's Phil I get it....DQ

[Golffan67]

I love Phil, but I think he should be DQ'ed.

[Chef Otto]

This is clearly grounds for a DQ......I'd like to say I have lost all respect for the USGA because of their non DQ. But that shipped sailed years ago USGA is a joke and so is the US Open most of the time these days because of the USGA.

 

[Fade]

Yes, I do think Phil is lying in his postround comments. A two-stroke penalty should be afforded for accidentally hitting a moving ball. A DQ for doing it intentionally as it rolls down a hill because now we'll never know for sure if it would have cost Phil strokes.

 

Interestingly, the criterion for DQ (see the first post on this page) seems to be based on outcome, not intent.

[straightshot7]

Yes, I do think Phil is lying in his postround comments. A two-stroke penalty should be afforded for accidentally hitting a moving ball. A DQ for doing it intentionally as it rolls down a hill because now we’ll never know for sure if it would have cost Phil strokes.

 

Okay, well I think the rules say it's up the Rules people if they want to DQ him, depending on if they consider it a severe breach.

 

But I don't see why Phil's primary concern would be saving strokes in that situation. He was already out of contention. He knows he's on camera. He's going to intentionally cheat? Why should I believe that? His explanation seems way more believable. As dumb as the action still was.

[youdamantiger]

He should be DQ'ed to set an example. That was shameful. And I say that as a Phil fan.

[Naptime]

What reason is there to clearly chase after a moving ball and hit it that doesn't involve saving strokes? Getting it over with on a hole is done by saving strokes. I think he just had a massive brain fart and realized he probably won't win a US Open ever and snapped. Maybe when he asks for an exemption some day this will tilt the scale to no.

[bucky316]

my rule of thumb: "what would Bobby Jones do?" ....well, Mr Jones certainly wouldn't do that & would be embarrassed by Mickelson's conduct & weak/defiant explanation

[mokedaddy]

Bobby Jones once ripped up his score card and picked up during the Open in 1921

 

https://golfhistorytoday.com/1921-bobby-jones-open-championship/

[sfiggins]

Bobby Jones once ripped up his score card and picked up during the Open in 1921

 

https://golfhistorytoday.com/1921-bobby-jones-open-championship/

 

19 year old vs 48 year old.

[TheMoneyShot]

Bobby Jones once ripped up his score card and picked up during the Open in 1921

 

https://golfhistorytoday.com/1921-bobby-jones-open-championship/

 

Yep, true story!

[wingedfoot97]

I liked it. I woulda done it too if Inwas out of contention, playing rough, and it was my birthday. Lots of writers on twitter crying about it but they know they woulda done it on the 5th hole lol. Go Phil.

[hdr_ric]

FIGJAM being FIGJAM.

[Naptime]

When you pick up you at least have the dignity to admit "no mas." If you pick up and tee off on the next hole that's entirely different.

[golftejas]

The USGA is cringing ... they may never have a "normal" tournament ever again. Can we just move on to the British and forget about yet another debacle at the US Open?

[Big Cat 3]

The right thing for Phil to do is to apologize and WD.

He did apologize ... but. It was disingenuous at best . Phil knew what he was doing and that was telling he USGA to shove it.

[Ping Zings]

Figjam

[Big Cat 3]

He should be DQ'ed to set an example. That was shameful. And I say that as a Phil fan.

John Daly would was never made an example of .. that puke did whatever he wanted whenever he wanted. Fat slob was chugging JD as he won the PGA

[mokedaddy]

Bobby Jones once ripped up his score card and picked up during the Open in 1921

 

https://golfhistorytoday.com/1921-bobby-jones-open-championship/

 

19 year old vs 48 year old.

 

I'm not justifying anything. Phil was definitely in the wrong.

[Big Cat 3]

Bobby Jones once ripped up his score card and picked up during the Open in 1921

 

https://golfhistorytoday.com/1921-bobby-jones-open-championship/

 

19 year old vs 48 year old.

In 1921 19 was the new 48

[straightshot7]

What reason is there to clearly chase after a moving ball and hit it that doesn't involve saving strokes? Getting it over with on a hole is done by saving strokes. I think he just had a massive brain fart and realized he probably won't win a US Open ever and snapped. Maybe when he asks for an exemption some day this will tilt the scale to no.

 

To save time and simply out of frustration and maybe wanting to send a message of anger to the USGA.

 

In his mind, he said he wasn't sure whether it would mean a higher or lower score in the end, given the 2 stroke penalty.

 

So it definitely saved time and ended the hole. Whether it saved strokes, no one knows. If you believe Phil, his intention was not to improve his score.

 

I don't think Phil is afraid of what his score was going to be if he let the ball go. He was already out of contention. And he has a great short game. You think he wouldn't bet on himself to get up and down in less than 5 shots (he'd be hitting 6 from wherever the ball ended up)?

[Hack Daddy]

Imagine if a young player did it. We'd be ready to euthanize all millenials for their horrible tantrums

 

110%

 

Remember Rickey went untucked? Lol Thought 90% of the golfing public were about to have strokes.

[psgolf23]

Phils a Bum

[Big Cat 3]

This place looks like a goat ranch ... way to ruin yet another supposed national shrine ( not seeing it ...would rather play Whistling Straits). Look out ! Another putt rolls 60 yds off the green !