Phil Mickelson believes he was playing within the rules after intentionally hitting a moving ball during the third round of the US Open on Saturday.
WATCH: Phil hits moving ball, chalks up a 10
The national championship is the only Major missing from Mickelson’s cabinet and while his wait will continue, he wrote his name into the history books during the third round.
The veteran American, celebrating his 48th birthday, shocked the golf world as he chased after a putt that was destined to roll off the green and hit it back towards the hole.
The USGA interpreted the rules to hand him a two-shot penalty for hitting a moving ball. The rules specify a player may be disqualified for stopping or deflecting a moving ball. Mickelson’s actions have widely been called into question but the Ryder Cup star insists his actions were within the rules.
‘No question it was going to go down into the same spot behind the bunker, wasn’t going to have a shot,’ Mickelson said afterwards.
‘I don’t know if I would’ve been able to save a shot or what not, but I know it’s a two-shot penalty, hitting a moving ball. I tried to hit it as close to the hole as I could to make the next one and you take the two shots and you move on.’
Mickelson insisted that his actions weren’t disrespectful.
‘I don’t mean disrespect by anybody. I know it’s a two-shot penalty, and at that time, I just didn’t feel like going back and forth and hitting the same shot over. I took the two-shot penalty, moved on,’ Mickelson said.
‘It’s my understanding of the rules. I’ve had multiple times where I’ve wanted to do that, I just finally did.’
This is the second high-profile incident at the US Open after John Daly was given a similar penalty after hitting a moving ball in protect of unfair pins in 1999 at Pinehurst. Those actions saw Daly card an 11 on the 8th as he shot 83.
