Unhappy Birthday: Twitter stunned by Mickelson's incredible mental gaffe
It's Phil Mickelson's 48th birthday on Saturday, but after a bizarre incident on the back nine at Shinnecock Hills, it's likely a day the legendary golfer will want to forget.
Walking onto the 13th green at 4-over for his round, Mickelson blew a putt past the hole and shockingly ran after the ball to send it back toward the cup while it was still moving.
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
That instantly results in a two-stroke penalty, and led to Mickelson carding a 10 on the par-4. The five-time major champion's decision to blatantly break the rules of golf because he wasn't pleased with how things were going was stunning, and Twitter reacted accordingly.
(Extremely Joe Buck voice)
— Kevin Van Valkenburg (@KVanValkenburg) June 16, 2018
“Welcome friends, and if you’re just joining us, Phil Mickelson has lost his mind.”
Phil Mickelson just did something I wouldn't do if I was on pace to shoot 100+ on a par-3 course.
— Jeremy Rauch (@FOX19Jeremy) June 16, 2018
Doing that in a MAJOR?! Pick up the ball and walk off the course. Embarrassing.
I thought today was going to be a pretty bland day at the U.S. Open and then Phil Mickelson went crazy. Like, literally he is nuts.
— Josh Berhow (@Josh_Berhow) June 16, 2018
If he stops for an interview afterward, Phil Mickelson should just refer reporters to his 2006 quotes after his Winged Foot disaster: "I just can't believe I did that. I am such an idiot."
— Ian O'Connor (@Ian_OConnor) 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
Everyone always complains about pace of play. Phil Mickelson finds a way to speed it up and everyone complains more. I mean, you just can't win.
— Jason Sobel (@JasonSobelTAN) June 16, 2018