You forgot the most important piece of equipment in the bag ...
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.
“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.
Agreed.
The turkey hasn’t the credentials to come down on Phil Mickelson like he did, Phil has done a lot for Golf.
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?
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?
Worse than Chambers Bay a few years ago??? Horrible course.
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...
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
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.
Yep - you can declare any ball (except in a water hazard) you wish as “unplayable.” One-stroke penalty, and you are on your way.
“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.
I knew the rule, just never thought about taking it when on the green!
You have waaaay too much time on your hands. Can’t you do volunteer work?
You forgot the most important piece of equipment in the bag ...
Well, yeah...would be a bit unorthodox...ha!
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.
Defend THAT, Lollabrigida.
Lol. Best golf movie ever.
Over the bridge, through the windmill and into the clown's mouth...
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.
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.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.