Mickelson ’embarrassed and disappointed’; apologises for moving ball incident at US Open

A few days after the end of the US Open, Phil Mickelson has apologised for the moving ball incident during the penultimate round of the year’s second major. 

Phil Mickelson caused a social media storm and much discussion between fans, pundits and players when the multiple major champion decided to deliberately make a stroke at his moving ball on the 13th green at Shinnecock Hills on Saturday. He was already four over for his round when he committed the bizarre act, which stopped his ball from rolling further away and possibly off the front of the green.

In the aftermath of the two-shot penalty given to Phil there has been plenty of speculation and discussion over both his and the USGA’s explanation of it, and whether or not the penalty fit the crime or if he should have been disqualified or withdrawn.

At the time, his explanation that he knew what he was doing didn’t go down particularly well. 

“It’s meant to take advantage of the rules as best you can and in that situation I was just going back and forth and I’d gladly take the two shots over continuing that display,” he had said after Saturday’s round.

Mickelson did end up playing on Sunday, but he declined interview requests and instead it was his wife Amy who spoke up. She told the media he had offered to withdraw, but had been informed by USGA CEO Mike Davis that he had been playing within the rules. 

“When he heard that he called Mike Davis and said ‘If I’ve done something that crosses the line that much, then I need to withdraw immediately,’ she said. 

“You know it’s not his finest moment, but hopefully he’ll learn from it. Like anybody, good people make mistakes. We all have a moment in life sometimes and that was kind of a moment I think for him”

And while it has taken a few more days, Mickelson finally spoke out once more, this time sending a message to a number of journalists on Wednesday to publicy apologising for what happened on the 13th green on Saturday.

Golf Digest’s Dave Shedloski shared the message on twitter:

“I know this should’ve come sooner, but it’s taken me a few days to calm down,” wrote Mickelson. “My anger and frustration got the best of me last weekend.

“I’m embarrassed and disappointed by my actions. It was clearly not my finest moment and I’m sorry.”