MICKELSON MADNESS
American caught up in ‘cheat’ storm at Shinnecock
PHIL MICKELSON marked his 48th birthday yesterday with an act of petulance during the third round of the US Open that ought to haunt him for the rest of his career.
It was an episode that was so disgraceful it should have led to a disqualification but, with sad predictability, the US Golf Association decided to come down on the side of one of the most decorated players rather than protect the game, and handed out a two-shot penalty instead.
Such was the understandable furore, it totally overshadowed a brutal third round that saw world No1 Dustin Johnson blow his four-shot halfway lead in his first five holes.
So difficult did the conditions become that former Masters and Open champion Zach Johnson claimed the course went beyond the bounds of fairness. As if the USGA weren’t being pelted by enough rotten tomatoes over their grotesque ruling regarding Mickelson, Zach Johnson lobbed some more. ‘It’s gone, the USGA have lost control of the course,’ he said.
It was certainly right on the edge, but the fact the top of the leaderboard is dominated by some of the game’s best ball strikers showed there remained a route to survival, albeit a highly precarious one.
This day, though, was all about Mickelson’s madness rather than the sheer grit and skill of the leaders. Here’s the pitiful circumstances. Clearly at the end of his tether with his putting on the marble-top greens Mickelson, already four over for his round, knocked another one past at the 13th that was clearly destined to keep going and fall off the front of the green.
Mickelson couldn’t cope with that. He ran after the ball and, as jaws slackened among the watching millions, he knocked it back towards the hole while it was still moving.
Under the rules, it’s a two-shot penalty to hit a moving a ball, and that’s how it was assessed by the USGA. But rule 14-5 also notes to see Rule 1-2 if a ball is purposely deflected or stopped by a player. A serious breach of that rule, and a disqualification can be imposed. Given Mickelson’s ball would have rolled at least another 20ft if he hadn’t so blatantly altered its course, it would be interesting to know what the USGA would consider a purposeful deflection.
Mickelson even admitted later that he acted deliberately. Trying to be oh-so clever, he said he knew the rule regarding hitting a moving ball, and took advantage. ‘I took the two-shot penalty because it was better than going back and forth,’ he said.
Actually, if he wanted to take advantage of the rules, it would have been better to let the ball roll out, and then declared it unplayable, allowing him to play it from its original spot, under a one-shot penalty. That would have saved him a stroke.
No, this was all about ego, and what an appalling example it set from a man who’s supposed to be a role model.
‘Given all I’ve heard, and particularly Phil’s explanation, I would have been lobbying for his disqualification,’ said David Fay, former executive director of the USGA on American television.
As for Mickelson, after marking down his 10 at the 13th, he carried on as if nothing had happened.
At the 18th he even played a shot for his adoring gallery, the sort of high lofted pitch shot only he can play. He followed it up by holing his par putt for an 81. In this event where he has finished runner-up six times, and needs to win to complete the career Grand Slam, his 11-over round equalled his highest score in a US Open, set previously on his debut as a 22 year old.
Besieged by the media afterwards, he had two words for anyone offended by his actions. ‘Toughen up,’ he said. Added an unrepentant Mickelson: ‘There have been multiple times when I’ve wanted to do that and now I finally have.’
He then signed autographs as the New York crowd serenaded him with chants of ‘Happy birthday’.
‘I’ve had an amazing day,’ he said, blithely, with the air of a man who clearly believes he’s untouchable. Shamefully, the USGA proved him right.
The golf? Oh yes, that was highly eventful as well. The American media who had been handing the title to Johnson following his imperious first 36 holes were taking it back again following his horrific start.
But he fought back well, and will still have his chance today.
One group in front, Justin Rose showed off his underrated but magical short game to remain in contention.
With four holes remaining, Johnson had regained the lead, despite being five over for his round, but his advantage over Rose was down to a single stroke. Alongside Rose was defending champion Brooks Koepka.
Somehow, the great ball strikers were finding a way. GOLF CORRESPONDENT AT SHINNECOCK HILLS