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Why Phil Mickleson should apologize then withdraw from the U.S. Open
ESPN.com ^ | Ian O'Connor

Posted on 06/16/2018 5:25:51 PM PDT by Hebrews 11:6

I'm sorry.

Those are the first two words Phil Mickelson should say publicly Sunday morning after a fitful night of sleep.

I withdraw.

Those are the next words Mickelson should say on his way out of the U.S. Open and into a better and brighter tomorrow.

Mickelson made a mockery of his sport's national championship on his 48th birthday, and he should now do the honorable thing and remove himself from the tournament.

He hit his moving ball out of frustration on the 13th green at Shinnecock Hills, and then told a counterfeit tale about his intent. Mickelson said he took a strategic whack at his rolling putt as it headed downhill to accept the two-stroke penalty rather than risk playing the ball conventionally and taking a score more damaging than the 10 he posted on the par 4.


TOPICS: Sports
KEYWORDS: golf; pga; usga
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To: Moonman62

“It’s unfair that the course was playing five to six strokes easier when they played earlier today.”

The USGA official basically said the same.


81 posted on 06/16/2018 7:27:13 PM PDT by TexasGator (Z1)
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To: KC Burke

Agreed.

The turkey hasn’t the credentials to come down on Phil Mickelson like he did, Phil has done a lot for Golf.


82 posted on 06/16/2018 7:28:14 PM PDT by jazusamo (Have YOU Donated to Keep Free Republic Up and Running?)
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To: Hebrews 11:6
I don't understand. Wasn't Mickleson assessed a two-stroke penalty under the tournament rules?

If you strike your own ball when it's still moving, what is the usual penalty for doing that in a USGA tournament?

And why would something unknowable like intent matter? If you commit a foul, you commit a foul.

Was Mickleson treated differently than any other golfer in the same situation who had committed the same foul?

Since when is striking your own moving ball grounds for a DQ?

83 posted on 06/16/2018 7:47:27 PM PDT by sargon ("If the President doesn't drain the Swamp, the Swamp will drain the President.")
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To: Hebrews 11:6
Yes, and he was assessed a two-stroke penalty for violating it. The author and I are saying that is insufficient in this case.

Why is that penalty insufficient?

Is there some kind of discretionary leeway for the tournament officials to assess a penalty higher than two strokes for that foul?

Or instead is the penalty for that foul carved in stone (fixed at two strokes)?

Again, what does the relevant rule state?

Is there some alternate rule that could have been applied in order to give a greater penalty?

Why should the penalty be anything beyond what the tournament rules specify?

84 posted on 06/16/2018 7:54:08 PM PDT by sargon ("If the President doesn't drain the Swamp, the Swamp will drain the President.")
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To: RetiredArmy

Worse than Chambers Bay a few years ago??? Horrible course.


85 posted on 06/16/2018 8:05:04 PM PDT by DennisR (Look around - God gives numerous, indisputable clues that He does, indeed, exist.)
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To: Hebrews 11:6
He didn’t “play by the rules,” he intentionally broke the rule.

OK, so you're a mind-reader?

How can intent be determined in such a situation. Maybe Mickleson's frustration rendered him "out of control" and he didn't intend to strike the ball while is was rolling.

Intent, schmintent.

The officials assessed the standard two stroke penalty for striking one's own moving ball. I'm sure it's happened before in the history of USGA tournaments.

Calling for anything more than the standard penalty in this case smacks of excessive moral outrage, IMHO. Also, there is no doubt that top players are given more leeway than no-names—just like in every other professional sport...

86 posted on 06/16/2018 8:05:38 PM PDT by sargon ("If the President doesn't drain the Swamp, the Swamp will drain the President.")
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To: Hebrews 11:6

Since I don’t play golf or particularly care about it, what Mickelson does with his own balls is his business (though he shouldn’t do it in public. There might be children watching). /sarc


87 posted on 06/16/2018 8:10:59 PM PDT by MadMax, the Grinning Reaper
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To: Hebrews 11:6

I understand Phil broke the rules and was penalized. If the rule needs changing, change it.

Any talk about the integrity of the game flies by me. Show the PGA how to make a dollar and integrity can suddenly bend. It’s a business, no more, no less. Phil knew the rule and skirted with the rule, possibly to his advantage. That happens everyday in business, sports, taxes, life in general.


88 posted on 06/16/2018 8:12:23 PM PDT by LeoTDB69
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To: TexasGator

Yep - you can declare any ball (except in a water hazard) you wish as “unplayable.” One-stroke penalty, and you are on your way.


89 posted on 06/16/2018 8:13:45 PM PDT by DennisR (Look around - God gives numerous, indisputable clues that He does, indeed, exist.)
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To: Hebrews 11:6

“He’s been a walking time-bomb for thirty years, and today he finally exploded.’

I didn’t see Woods explode today. He missed the cut.


90 posted on 06/16/2018 8:15:16 PM PDT by TexasGator (Z1)
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To: DennisR

I knew the rule, just never thought about taking it when on the green!


91 posted on 06/16/2018 8:21:38 PM PDT by TexasGator (Z1)
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To: Hebrews 11:6

You have waaaay too much time on your hands. Can’t you do volunteer work?


92 posted on 06/16/2018 8:27:59 PM PDT by Nifster (I see puppy dogs in the clouds)
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To: RetiredArmy
All they needed to play this course was a driver, 5 iron, sand wedge, and a weedeater.

You forgot the most important piece of equipment in the bag ...


93 posted on 06/16/2018 8:29:58 PM PDT by BlueLancer (Come Hell or High Water - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQNUp9rgjNs&feature=youtu.be)
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To: TexasGator

Well, yeah...would be a bit unorthodox...ha!


94 posted on 06/16/2018 8:36:45 PM PDT by DennisR (Look around - God gives numerous, indisputable clues that He does, indeed, exist.)
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To: PAR35

And the committee did not. its at their discretion.

the rules provided a penalty. the penalty was imposed. the committee did not decide to disqualify him.

if you are upset it seems logical to be upset at the committee.


95 posted on 06/16/2018 9:14:13 PM PDT by Secret Agent Man ( Gone Galt; Not averse to Going Bronson.)
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To: Hebrews 11:6
The US Open is clowns-mouth golf this year.

Defend THAT, Lollabrigida.

96 posted on 06/16/2018 9:14:18 PM PDT by kiryandil (Never pick a fight with an angry beehive)
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To: Eddie01

Lol. Best golf movie ever.


97 posted on 06/16/2018 9:14:27 PM PDT by TXBlair (We will not forget Benghazi.)
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To: RetiredArmy
I call it "clowns-mouth golf".

Over the bridge, through the windmill and into the clown's mouth...

98 posted on 06/16/2018 9:16:52 PM PDT by kiryandil (Never pick a fight with an angry beehive)
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To: Hebrews 11:6

Be angry at the committee, they had the power to disqualify him and decided not to do that. he took his penalty for violating the rule. the rules were followed and the penalty was applied.


99 posted on 06/16/2018 9:17:15 PM PDT by Secret Agent Man ( Gone Galt; Not averse to Going Bronson.)
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To: TexasGator
USGA had to apologize in 2004 and now on 2018 about US Open Shinnecock conditions.

Yeah, I'm 99% certain that when Bret Baier was broadcasting from there yesterday and returned from a commercial, he subtly said that they were at Shi**ecock. The panelists were then each grinning a little bigger than normal as they were introduced. I had to back it up and listen again; yeah, I'm sure that's what he said, lol.

100 posted on 06/16/2018 9:32:44 PM PDT by TXBlair (We will not forget Benghazi.)
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