Poll: Should Phil be DQ'd?

[wmblake2000]

People arguing he was trying to gain advantage … he was en route to shooting a million, being in essentially last place. He wasn't seeking advantage, score-wise, but just wanted to short cut the misery. The more I think about it, the less I am troubled, to the point I disagree with my earlier post, which I am leaving up.

 

If he had just said, 'I am out of the tournament, didn't see any need to extend my misery, am glad for the 2 stroke penalty to avoid the pain in the butt that was going to ensue and I probably broke even, stroke-wise, but saved 5 minutes of everyone's time and my sanity' then I'd offer to buy his next beer. But Phil being Phil, he had to put lipstick on that pig of a motive and seem clever and how he's in the dog house.

 

What he did was the equivalent of not fouling the other team in the last 2 minutes when you're 20 behind. It just ends the misery sooner.

[wrmiller]

I'm for boxing up the USGA and sending them packing. How many times can these arrogant idiots screw up a tournament? I actually turned it off, and doubt I'll watch it tomorrow. Joke show.

 

Phil should have just picked up his ball and walked off the course. Middle finger towards the officials optional. ;)

[deadsolid...shank]

Why did he hit the first putt so hard in the first place? It never had a chance of stopping near the hole.

[elwhippy]

By admitting he stopped his ball he deliberately broke a rule. That behaviour has no place in any golf competition never mind a major.

[youdamantiger]

Phil lost his head and, in a moment of sheer frustration, did something extremely stupid. That's not the problem. We all make mistakes and do things we sometimes regret. The problem is that the USGA didn't DQ him. The other problem is that, after it became apparent that the USGA wasn't going to DQ him, Phil didn't go ahead and withdraw. At this stage of his career, Phil is more ambassador than competitor. He bears more responsibility as a standard-bearer for the game than anyone else in that field other than Tiger. He needs to keep that in mind the next time he gets frustrated on the course.

 

I do find it highly amusing, however, that the same people in golf media clutching their pearls at Phil have turned a blind eye over the years to Tiger's on-course shenanigans.

[15th Club]

I voted. I don't suppose anybody cares about how I voted.

 

What I hope everybody does, is to read comments on this, and look at their rule books, and appreciate what a hard ruling it is to make.

Are you actually ok with someone making an intentional stroke at a moving ball or just stating you believe the rule was applied correctly?

 

Another way of phrasing this... Would you want to play with someone that feels that is an acceptable way to play the game of golf?

 

No. You presumed to know how I voted. You presumed wrong. I feel that a DQ is the right ruling. But without a clear Decision on point, it is a hard ruling to make.

[chrismikayla]

No. I’m fine with him thumbing his nose at the USGA. I’m sure in private most players applaud it because they feel the same way.

[spbrooks]

No. Surely not one of his finer moments but life goes on.

[ssfranny]

Should be suspended from Golf for the remainder of the year. Embarrassment to the national championship. This is akin to corking a bat or juicing.

 

 

Good lord dude...

[f5joe]

Phil lost his head and, in a moment of sheer frustration, did something extremely stupid. That's not the problem. We all make mistakes and do things we sometimes regret. The problem is that the USGA didn't DQ him. The other problem is that, after it became apparent that the USGA wasn't going to DQ him, Phil didn't go ahead and withdraw. At this stage of his career, Phil is more ambassador than competitor. He bears more responsibility as a standard-bearer for the game than anyone else in that field other than Tiger. He needs to keep that in mind the next time he gets frustrated on the course.

 

I do find it highly amusing, however, that the same people in golf media clutching their pearls at Phil have turned a blind eye over the years to Tiger's on-course shenanigans.

 

Good post.

[BlackDiamondPar5]

No DQ. The rules officials explained it sufficiently. Some just don't like the answer.

[dpb5031]

It was an impulsive flub born of frustration... no matter how he's tried to save face and explain it after the fact. I do not believe there was any intent to cheat. Guaranteed he regrets it at this point and is embarrassed by his own actions and his silly responses when questioned.

 

The USGA has made their ruling and explained the logic behind the decision. I think it's best we all just accept it at this point. Phil will take some lumps for it but the golfing world will eventually get over it. We all know Phil is a quirky dude and also much more competitive than he let's on. That combined with what I'm certain is a deep seated frustration in his failure to win this championship led to Phil losing his mind for a moment.

[I'_rather_be_golfing]

I applauded Phil when he did that. Best moment of the entire tournament.

[gvogel]

Too many Phil slurpers on this site.

 

By the way, Martha Stewart went to jail for pretty much the same thing that Phil did with insider trading.

[puttfordoux]

Phil lost his head and, in a moment of sheer frustration, did something extremely stupid. That's not the problem. We all make mistakes and do things we sometimes regret. The problem is that the USGA didn't DQ him. The other problem is that, after it became apparent that the USGA wasn't going to DQ him, Phil didn't go ahead and withdraw. At this stage of his career, Phil is more ambassador than competitor. He bears more responsibility as a standard-bearer for the game than anyone else in that field other than Tiger. He needs to keep that in mind the next time he gets frustrated on the course.

 

I do find it highly amusing, however, that the same people in golf media clutching their pearls at Phil have turned a blind eye over the years to Tiger's on-course shenanigans.

 

At least the USGA is consistent about making the rules but not enforcing them (ie., anchoring).

[Dornoch]

Yes

[bladehunter]

The worst part of the whole thing was having to listen to Joe Buck (probably the dude in his ear) over the next five hours try to dramatize the heck out of the whole thing like thirty times. This thing is so boring to watch and they’re doing all they can to get people tuned in.

 

Agree. I dispise joe buck as a golf announcer. Worst in the history of the game in my opinion. He’s so ignorant to the game. He’s like listening to a once a year golfer talk technique at the local muni. You want to stab your ears out.

[golfman1]

Totally within the rules, I guess he should withdraw because of Joe Buck and the touchy feely people we have now. Toughen up Buttercups.

[bladehunter]

Too many Phil slurpers on this site.

 

By the way, Martha Stewart went to jail for pretty much the same thing that Phil did with insider trading.

 

And that was a bogus farce as well. She simply had insulted the wrong person and was targeted and made an example out of. 100s of rich folks get away with that every week in the market. They just aren’t making any waves.

[ckaufman]

Should Phil be DQ'd? Hell no. He should be applauded for flipping a big middle finger to the USGA over their almost mind-boggling inability to set up championship golf courses properly. If you're truly upset about what Phil did, you need to lighten up. Like, a LOT. Everyone I know who has watched the video thought it was funny and refreshing.

[puttingmatt]

Why is it we can’t apply the actual rule and go on? It works for a double hit. It works for a wrong drop. It works for a wrong score card. Works for the long putter. Why is this different ? Penalty assessed and life goes on.

 

I thank you, and wonder the same thing.

[QuickFeet]

No, and there are a lot of people who need to lighten up. In hindsight, it would have been great for him to wait for the ball to finish, take an unplayable, and replay from where he originally hit. He might have saved a stroke or two. However, at the end of the day, he played a stroke on a moving ball, took the 2 stroke penalty (as appropriate), and moved on.

 

I wish people were this passionate about some of the real issues in society today.

 

drn92

 

Agree. He very likely would have made the putt the second time.

[larrybud]

I think he should WD, not because what he did was embarrassing, but what the USGA is doing is embarrassing.

[Yepyukon]

I don't understand the difference between what he did and when they intentionally hit into the grandstands for a free drop. He knew the rules and he used it to his benefit like any other golfer could and should.

 

So no. Phil should not be disqualified or withdrawal in my opinion. Was it bad sportsmanship? Sure but that is it.

[NorthTexasGlfr]

Good grief! He admitted that he did what he did to to gain a significant advantage.

 

Read the damn rule. That's a DQ plain and simple.

 

Show me the quote where Phil admitted to that. You can not because he did not.

 

Here is his quote from this article on Golfweek.

 

“It was meant to take advantage of the rules as best as you can.”

 

https://golfweek.com/2018/06/16/what-phil-mickelson-said-about-his-penalty-on-13-u-s-open/

[NorthTexasGlfr]

deosnt matter.. he made a stroke..NOT a stopage or deflection... He hit it with a proper stroke , with a putter while its moving... 2 stroke penalty

 

There was no pre-shot routine and he never addressed the ball and took a stance. Not even close to a proper stroke.

 

He clearly stopped and/or deflected a moving ball.

[legitimategolf]

Surprised that he didn't take the WD route. Missed a golden opportunity. He had so much more to gain by WD'ing. The prize money does nothing for him anyways, and he would've reaped so much goodwill it's not even funny. It's only 10:30am but if Phil had WD'd, we'd already have worn out the phrase "class act" for the next few years.

[legitimategolf]

Let me get this straight. If a player stops a moving ball he is subject to rule 1-2 and DQ. However if nothing changes in the scenario except that the player swats at the ball ever so slightly, he is now exempt from 1-2.

[MSUIRONDAWGS]

I'm for boxing up the USGA and sending them packing. How many times can these arrogant idiots screw up a tournament? I actually turned it off, and doubt I'll watch it tomorrow. Joke show.

 

Phil should have just picked up his ball and walked off the course. Middle finger towards the officials optional. ;)

 

THIS

[jmcf1949]

no class

 

He'll donate what he wins to either charity or some USGA program and all will be forgiven.