In what is being described as an extraordinary 'fit of pique,' Phil Mickelson has been involved in a very unusual scene on the 13th green in this year's US Open.
Putting for bogey, Mickelson missed the shot by some distance. Making a run after the rolling ball, Mickelson proceeded to hit the ball again; leaving commentators searching for words to explain what had just happened.
Phil Mickelson just pulled a Daly - putted a moving golf ball and left Fox announcers speechless pic.twitter.com/5kVxt8AnDq
— Born Salty (@cjzero) June 16, 2018
Dumbfounding many of those watching the tournament, there was a generous mix of those appalled, and more tempted to take it as a light-hearted jape.
There has been an incident. Phil Mickelson hits ball again in a fit of pique when still rolling past hole on 13th green (that = penalty). Cue imminent defence from his adoring broadcast pals. "Out of character, good old Phil etc etc..."
— Ewan Murray (@mrewanmurray) June 16, 2018
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What the heck did Phil Mickelson just do on the green? I've covered a lot of golf and never seen anything like that. Both ridiculous and, frankly, embarrassing. "He just snapped" is the in-depth analysis offered by the Fox crew.
— Jim Donaldson (@JimDonaldsonJr) June 16, 2018
No excuse for that from Mickelson...how is he allowed to continue? Who knows where the ball would have ended up...
— Dan Dakich (@dandakich) June 16, 2018
PHIL MICKELSON JUST WALKED AAY FROM THE US OPEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! STUNNING
— Norm Macdonald (@normmacdonald) June 16, 2018
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Phil Mickelson just deliberately hit a moving ball on the green that looked like it was going to roll off the green after his putt. This will be an infamous moment for Phil at the @usopengolf.
— Todd Lewis (@ToddLewisGC) June 16, 2018
... And apparently Phil Mickelson just hit a moving ball on the 13th green. Um, what?
— Pat Forde (@YahooForde) June 16, 2018
Um...what the hell did Phil Mickelson just do? #USOpen
— Matt Stypulkoski (@M_Stypulkoski) June 16, 2018
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Phil Mickelson pulled a move every recreational golfer has during a round.
Not sure I've ever seen that from a world class player #USOpen— Todd Fuhrman (@ToddFuhrman) June 16, 2018
(Extremely Joe Buck voice)
“Welcome friends, and if you’re just joining us, Phil Mickelson has lost his mind.”— Kevin Van Valkenburg (@KVanValkenburg) June 16, 2018
Phil Mickelson’s misstep at the US Open was the most stunning thing I’ve seen on a golf course since the time Happy Gilmore ripped off a guy’s shirt, punched him so hard that he rolled down a hill and then handed the guy’s shirt to another patron at the 1996 Waterbury Open.
— Scott Bell (@ScottBellDMN) June 16, 2018
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I feel u Mickelson.... man had enough
— Booger (@ESPNBooger) June 16, 2018
What in the name of Harry Vardon did Phil Mickelson just do??
He just Roy McAvoy’d that last putt.
It was beautiful. Announcers making it sound like he stabbed somebody. Calm down. It’s just golf.— Vic Lombardi (@VicLombardi) June 16, 2018
For his misdemeanor, Mickelson has been hit with a two-shot stroke. He is currently tied-63rd on the leaderboard.