[ColdNoMore]

I like Phil a lot and was really rooting for him to make this the year when he completed the 'career slam,' but his actions today...were over the line IMHO.

It looks like I'm not the only one either.

U.S. Open: Phil Mickelson explains away meltdown

Column: On 48th birthday, Mickelson acts like a 10-year-old - NY Daily News

Phil Mickelson stunningly hits moving ball on purpose for 2-shot penalty | Golfweek

This isn’t the first time this has happened in a U.S. Open. John Daly hit a moving ball in protest of unfair pins at the 1999 U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2. Daly would make an 11 (after the two-shot penalty) on that par-4 eighth on his way to a final-round 13-over 83.

I just hate that he will now be thought of as being in the same category as that embarrassment to golf...John Daly.

[Nucky]

He made an error in judgment, took the penalty. Case closed. Nobody is perfect.

[jebartle]

It was a birthday present, ha!

[Two Bills]

Deliberately stopping the ball, which Michleson said he did, "to stop it rolling off the green" is disqualification. Simple.
If he was making a point about the ridiculous set up of the course, have the balls to say so.
Worse than that though, is the so called fans abusive behaviour towards any non-American player. The drunken mob are beneath contempt.

[Villageswimmer]

Originally Posted by Two Bills

Deliberately stopping the ball, which Michleson said he did, "to stop it rolling off the green" is disqualification. Simple.
If he was making a point about the ridiculous set up of the course, have the balls to say so.
Worse than that though, is the so called fans abusive behaviour towards any non-American player. The drunken mob are beneath contempt.

Ya know, I thought I detected that but the announcers seemed to try to work around it and ignore that chanting. How classless. You could see on Stinson’s face that he was super annoyed. That, and the Phil thing...sad day for golf in the U.S.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Villageswimmer

Ya know, I thought I detected that but the announcers seemed to try to work around it and ignore that chanting. How classless. You could see on Stinson’s face that he was super annoyed. That, and the Phil thing...sad day for golf in the U.S.

I think you are right. I hope it isn't the beginning of something ugly. I have always liked golf partly because people generally behave more like ladies and gentlemen than in any other popular sport.

[bilcon]

I guess all the perfect people who commented on Phil's frustration yesterday never had a bad day on the course. I am not a big fan of Phil, but every once in a while golf can get to you. You have a very bad day and you react negatively. He didn't throw a club or break one. I guess he is human after all.

[Carla B]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

I think you are right. I hope it isn't the beginning of something ugly. I have always liked golf partly because people generally behave more like ladies and gentlemen than in any other popular sport.

Yes, and they generally don't have tatoos and piercing and weird hair dos. Quite civilized.

[Two Bills]

Originally Posted by Villageswimmer

Ya know, I thought I detected that but the announcers seemed to try to work around it and ignore that chanting. How classless. You could see on Stinson’s face that he was super annoyed. That, and the Phil thing...sad day for golf in the U.S.

'Ice Man' Stenson is super cool, and never gets uptight. For him to even react to crowd, shows how bad it was out there.
I thought all non Americans handled the abuse very well. Poulter, must have been spitting nails, as he was singled out more than anyone. The way he handled it shows the class the spectators lacked.

[Two Bills]

Originally Posted by bilcon

I guess all the perfect people who commented on Phil's frustration yesterday never had a bad day on the course. I am not a big fan of Phil, but every once in a while golf can get to you. You have a very bad day and you react negitively. He didn't throw a club or break one. I guess he is human after all.

John Daly was slaughtered by the press and public for doing the same thing, but as it's 'good old Phil,' lets all look the other way.
Not in my book. That's cheating.

[Fredman]

Just a bunch of drunken young guys. Maybe they would act more civilized if they didn’t have such easy access to booze. Their actions were completely unacceptable

[DeanFL]

IMO - Much ado about not much. oooooooo, the rules of golf.....ooooooo, disrespect for other players and the game, ooooooo, ruins his career and legacy.

C'mon all - even though the PGA and USGA controls pro golf like it's sanctimonious and pious - it's a sport played by humans with tons o' rules for a lot of money.

So - a player out of contention with no chance to challenge a top 30 finish - allows his emotions to react on the green...big deal. He accepted the penalty, and perhaps the USGA will disqualify him for the final round. Yet another big name pro is out of Sunday US Open. Most are out due to a course (un)prepped to be uncontrollable (and "Challenging").

OK, Phil's reasoning during his postgame interview was hokey and not totally truthful. But he was embarrassed and simply did not want the 13th to continue on. How many of us did the same move of the putter when missing putts? Yes, not during a major tourney...but Phil IS HUMAN and allowed his emotions to spurt. Let it go...

Another note - HOW BAD is the TV coverage by Fox? So many audio and video glitches - the crowd yelling is embarrassing...esp the XXX rated ones...need to have an 8-second delay...too many talking heads...and truthfully I am not a fan of links courses - IMO the aesthetics on TV is not eye-appealing.

OK I'm done. 2 stroke penalty on ToTV...

[stan the man]

Phil's post game interview was a joke. Never really apologize for what he did made an excuse that he was using the rules to his advantage. Had plenty of time to think of an excuse while playing the rest of the match. Yes they crucified John Daly for what he did and I think Phil should be crucified as well. Everybody loves Phil, The poor little rich kid from San Diego

[valuemkt]

Watched Calvin Peete do the same thing at the BC Open years ago .. Immediate DQ, which he wanted, as his bad round didnt figure into his standing for some low stroke award .. That was classless, as was Phil's .. Should have been DQ'd .. unfortunately, there will be more and more excuses for this being out of character and he'll be given slack that other players wouldn't.

[collie1228]

I listened to the USGA official last evening who said that Phil had reached out to him (text, I believe) to say that he thought the rule was a two stroke penalty, but if the USGA thought he should be disqualified, he wouldn't argue about it. He should have been disqualified, but now that it's over, we all should move on. If I were Phil, I would call a news conference this morning, make a statement saying I was sorry and was dropping out of the tournament, and would answer any and all questions right now, but would never respond to a question about this situation again - ever. If he doesn't put his foot down, these ******* reporters will never stop asking the same questions over and over.