Phil of defiance
But even his old pal Harmon joins the criticism and admits Mickelson should have been disqualified
DEFIANT Phil Mickelson last night dodged questions about his shocking rules breach as his former swing coach admitted he should have been disqualified from the US Open. Butch Harmon led widespread condemnation of the American superstar for unashamedly revealing he deliberately stopped his moving ball from rolling off the 13th green during his Saturday round.
That mad moment cost him a twoshot penalty – but the consequences for his reputation are far more serious as Lefty was pilloried for his brazen disregard for the spirit of the game by manipulating the rules.
Yesterday, Mickelson snubbed the media waiting for him after his final round of 69 left him well down the field on 16 over par.
Instead he spent almost an hour speaking to family then signing autographs and posing for selfies while the hordes of reporters around him waited for their opportunity to quiz him.
When he finally marched away down the practice range he was asked if he had any regrets about the incident – but only offered a cryptic response before rushing away without any further comment.
Mickelson said: “The real question is what am I going to do next – I don’t know.”
Lefty roared in triumph and lifted his arms in celebration on his return to the 13th yesterday after draining a putt for par.
But critics were lining up to stick the boot in for what had gone on there a day earlier.
Former US Open winner Curtis Strange accused him of “insulting the national championship” while Lee Westwood directly tweeted the USGA organisers asking them to explain why he wasn’t disqualified.
But the most damaging criticism came from a close friend in his long-time trusted swing coach Harmon – who admitted he couldn’t defend Phil’s actions.
Harmon said: “Phil is a friend of my mine and I respect him tremendously but I don’t like what happened or his post-round interview. I wasn’t impressed with how he handled the situation and what he said.
“For me, it’s a breach of the rules. He didn’t want the ball to roll all the way down the hill behind the bunker where he wouldn’t have a shot, so preferred to take the two-shot penalty and hit the ball on the move.
“That’s not right and we can’t teach young people to play golf like that. He is entitled to his opinion and to do what he wants but I don’t agree with it.
“Social media is crucifying him and in this case rightfully so.
“I would agree with those who suggested he should be disqualified. I don’t think legally you can stop the ball from moving and then he admitted he did it on purpose, which is where I think he broke the rule.”
USGA officials were also panned for letting him off with the minimum punishment – a two-shot penalty – instead of making an example of him to discourage others from doing the same in future.
Former Ryder Cup star Edoardo Molinari tweeted: “What a horrible example not to disqualify Mickelson after what happened at 13.
“Golf is different from other sports and, according to me, he was disqualified.”
Two-time US Open champion Strange added: “It’s against the etiquette of the game and I think he insulted the national championship.”
Former world No.1 David Duval said: “It was baffling to see what happened. I don’t necessarily buy the argument from Phil that he was trying to take advantage of the rules.
“Really that doesn’t make a lot of sense because if he wanted to use the rules to his advantage, he should have just declared that one unplayable and played it again.
“I am still stunned. It doesn’t look good in the national championship to start trotting after a golf ball and swipe it back up the hill.”
Australian pro Steven Bowditch added: “USGA Rule change.. Rule 1-2: If admitting to completely violating this rule on national TV, it’s deemed you are disqualified. One exception to the rule. It’s your birthday.”
Social media is crucifying him and in this case rightfully so BUTCH HARMON