by John Perry
Talk about a golden opportunity to put the game of golf at the head of the table when it comes to sports. It was passed up, all for the sake of loyalty to one of its favorite sons. The USGA, who certainly dropped the ball in the past, when it comes to regulating and validating its power and authority, chose the low road at this year’s U.S.Open at Shinnecock Hills in Long Island, N. Y.
On the par 4, 13th hole during Saturday’s 3rd round, living legend–and one of golf’s more popular and celebrated ambassadors of the game–Phil Mickelson committed one of the most unprofessional and unethical acts in the sport of golf. Obviously, out of frustration, he ran after his 18-foot bogey putt as it went past the hole, on it’s way to going off the green, and struck it while it was still moving. A no, no in golf, as he knew all too well.
Knowing he would be penalized for such action, Mickelson did not care about the consequences (or repercussions) that were sure to follow. Of course, the conditions of the course were slightly over the edge–as fair play was concerned–and, the lightning-fast greens in particular. But the conditions were the same for everyone–not just Mickelson.
The USGA’s decision was to access the convenient two-shot penalty rule, instead of the available, appropriate, more severe disqualification penalty.
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Although Phil has never won a U.S. Open and so many of his loyal followers would love to see him accomplish the Grand Slam by adding that to his list of Majors, there’s still protocol and integrity to comply within this great game. We know he’s already inducted into the World Golf Hall Of Fame, and all that. We know Saturday’s 3rd round at Shinnecock was also Phil’s 48th birthday, and all that. But I ‘m sure, without any shadows of a doubt, that other Hall Of Famers like Hogan, Snead, Nelson, Jones, Palmer, Player, Nicklaus, Trevino, and Watson would never have cheated and disrespected the game in such a manner.
I also sincerely believe that if that had been Pat Perez or Harold Varner III, they would’ve been DQ’d! The USGA’s governing body needs to rethink this one deeply. The rules of the game are still obviously not where they need to be, and after decisions like the one they made concerning Phil’s tragic act of blatant disrespect, this puts them further from where they could be. Yes, they set the game of golf back a bit with this short-sightedness. I, for one, hope that they learn from this and realize that by their own standards and codes of conduct that no one individual is bigger than the game itself.
…I’m Just Saying.
John Perry is a freelance writer, poet and active golfer with a passion for calling shots like he sees them and, then, telling it like it is. He resides in Orlando, Florida.
