News

Phil Mickelson apologizes for U.S. Open display

Published

8 years ago

Jun 20, 2018

Ben Alberstadt

Phil Mickelson has apologized for his actions at Shinnecock Hills, Saturday.

In a text sent to a select group of reporters, Mickelson said Wednesday

“I know this should’ve come sooner, but it’s taken me a few days to calm down. 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.”

Mickelson spoke briefly with reporters after exiting the scoring tent, Saturday. To refresh, it was then that he said

“It’s certainly not meant (to show disrespect). It’s meant to take advantage of the rules as best you can. In that situation I was just, I was just going back and forth. I’ll gladly take the two shots over continuing that display,” and “I’ve had multiple times when I’ve wanted to do that, and I finally did.”

The left-hander didn’t speak with the media Sunday, and he hadn’t issued any statements prior to the text.

He was penalized two shots for hitting a ball in motion, but the USGA stopped short of disqualifying Mickelson, believing that his actions didn’t constitute a “serious breach” of the rules. Mickelson spoke with USGA chief Mike Davis at length about the incident, and the governing body remained steadfast in its conclusion.

Responses from the media and his peers ranged from amusement, to support, to outright condemnation. Additionally, just how calculated Mickelson’s actions were was a subject for debate, with some believing Mickelson merely lost his head and the calculated “taking advantage of the rules” explanation was merely a post hoc invention.

The apology, and the timing and method of the apology, will do little to satisfy Mickelson’s critics on the matter. For those, like Jordan Spieth, who believe Mickelson was merely using the rules in his favor, the mea culpa was likely unnecessary.

Surely, the text message will not put the incident to bed.

Mickelson is next expected in the field in two weeks at The Greenbrier.

Related Topics:featured

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Ben Alberstadt

Ben Alberstadt is the Editor-in-Chief at GolfWRX, where he’s led editorial direction and gear coverage since 2018. He first joined the site as a freelance writer in 2012 after years spent working in pro shops and bag rooms at both public and private golf courses, experiences that laid the foundation for his deep knowledge of equipment and all facets of this maddening game. Based in Philadelphia, Ben’s byline has also appeared on PGATour.com, Bleacher Report...and across numerous PGA DFS and fantasy golf platforms. Off the course, Ben is a committed cat rescuer and, of course, a passionate Philadelphia sports fan. Follow him on Instagram @benalberstadt.

15 Comments

JThunder

Jun 21, 2018 at 5:43 pm

If ONLY American held it’s current “leader” to the high standard it holds Phil Mickelson… Or even, you know, a medium standard.

Reply Report comment
Todd

Jun 21, 2018 at 11:30 am

Leave him off the Ryder Cup team. FIGJAM doesn’t know everything…

Reply Report comment
juststeve

Jun 21, 2018 at 11:20 am

I’m a Phil fan who thinks he should have been disqualified

Reply Report comment
~j~

Jun 21, 2018 at 10:25 am

News fodder. No one really cares about it as much as the media outlets. they’ll dish out articles all day so long as people still click to read them.

Reply Report comment
Richard Douglas

Jun 21, 2018 at 7:03 am

It was a GOLF tournament, folks, not some solemn occasion. In fact, it was a poorly executed golf tournament.

Sure, Phil shouldn’t have done what he did. He was penalized for it. Arguing over whether or not the punishment fit the “crime” is futile.

Overlooked in all of this is how horrible the USGA is at putting on our national championship. In order to preserve par as unattainable, the USGA tricks up courses so they become unplayable. They’re not hard; they’re unfair. Good shots are punished. Poor shots are punished, too, but not in proportion to their inaccuracy. It’s rather random. It doesn’t produce our best golfer.

It used to be the PGA that produced guys who won it and little else. But the US Open is the worst of them all now. All the other majors can produce good conditions and worthy champions. All the USGA can produce is a guy who can survive their particular brand of weird.

Reply Report comment
Briny Baird

Jun 20, 2018 at 9:07 pm

Its what you do as a modern day celeb. Do something – get ridiculed – wait a couple – apologize – move on – still make 22 world wide. next.

Reply Report comment
Mizzle Fizzle

Jun 20, 2018 at 7:47 pm

It will not put the incident to bed because GolfWRX will have nothing to natter about.

Reply Report comment
- Geohogan
  
  Jun 20, 2018 at 9:05 pm
  
  Time to put it to bed….by the way did Phil also mention he is selling yogurt in San Diego.
  Gonna buy some from a robot..YUMMY.
  
  Buy Phils yogurt! see youve forgotten what a jerk he is already.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Geohogan
    
    Jun 20, 2018 at 9:07 pm
    
    in my day, they called them vending machines.
    
    Reply Report comment
youraway

Jun 20, 2018 at 7:15 pm

Intentionally violating the Rules is disrespect for the game. Sorry your apology is as lame as your reasoning.

Reply Report comment
- Getemgoose
  
  Jun 20, 2018 at 8:31 pm
  
  Life goes on.
  
  Reply Report comment
- Geohogan
  
  Jun 20, 2018 at 9:11 pm
  
  intentionally breaking the rules and taking advantage of the existing rules to your best advantage
  is one thing.
  Intentionally violating the rules to gain an advantage over the field is DQ every time. Back to basic, Rule 1.2
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Geohogan
    
    Jun 20, 2018 at 9:13 pm
    
    misstype:
    
    SB Unintentionally breaking the rules is one thing……
    
    Reply Report comment
BIG STU

Jun 20, 2018 at 3:45 pm

Aw heck Phil is human too. it was funny as heck— One thing about it was the incident got a lot of press from the radio and Tv media on the mainstream— Normally they do not mention anything about golf but Monday morning every radio station was hopping with the news of the incident. I like Phil and personally I think it was just frustration. I think the rules natzis of the press blew it all out of proportion

Reply Report comment

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News

GolfWRX’s Father’s Day Gift Guide (2026)

Published

1 day ago

Jun 9, 2026

GolfWRX Staff

A reminder from your friends at GolfWRX: Father’s Day is June 21. And as we do every year, we’re rounding up the best gifts for dad.

As we say every year, there’s no better golf-related Father’s Day gift than a round of golf with pops. Be it a country club or your favorite muni, take the time to get together to play 18 if you can.

Let’s get to the gifts.

Ghost Golf Qualifier Diamond Polo

We like the new polos that Ghost is offering, as the fabric and fit are so good. These new Qualifier Collection polos breathe well, are lightweight, stretch with your swing, and of course look great. You can wear them on the course, in the office, or just out at a casual event and they will fit right in.

Buy here.

STR8-Strip Grip Tape Remover

If your dad is an equipment aficionado and tinkers with his clubs, this tool works wonders. Removing grip tape has never been easier, just put a little head on the tape and the STR8-Strip peals it right off the shaft without any damage.

Buy here.

Why Golf: Putting Thing

When it comes to practice, it is good to have a purpose. This “Putting Thing” sure does it. We know from personal experience how challenging it can be and how rewarding it is on the practice green. This also provides some competition for your kiddo to see who will unload the dishwasher or do the next chore around the house.

Buy here.

OluKai Lae‘ahi Men’s Breathable Slip-On Shoes

Riding to and from the course in style and comfort is always a good thing. If you’re in a hurry, it’s a nice feature to slide into your shoes and get to the tee time. For the post-game shoe, at your locker or while putting your clubs away in the car. Nice to slide into a shoe that looks good anywhere. Pair that with meeting the family for dinner, no need to change!

Buy here.

Therabody Theragun Relief

A little wellness goes a long way. Keeping loose is a good way to go when it comes to the weekend game or treatment during the week. If there is a little ache or pain, the Theragun is there to help out. Help loosen up the back for a pre-game warm-up or cool-down.

Buy here.

World Cup golf apparel

Something for the soccer dads. Embrace the World Cup fever this summer on the course with custom gear to support the nation of your choice.

Buy here.

FootJoy Pro SL spikeless golf shoes

Give the old man a break and save his feet with the Footjoy Pro SL Men’s Spikeless Golf Shoes for some added comfort on the course.

Buy here.

Bushnell Wingman 2 GPS speaker

Combine all the hits as well as some game improvement with the Wingman 2 Golf GPS Speaker by getting audible distance readings from 38,000+ courses worldwide through the Wingman 2 remote or speaker.

Buy here.

Personalized Titleist Pro V1 golf balls

The No. 1 ball in golf is a safe bet, and the Pro V1 fits the largest chunk of the bell curve if you don’t know what ball pops plays. Add personalization for a, well, personal touch!

Buy here.

GolfWRX may earn a commission for purchases made through links on this page, at no extra cost to you.

Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2026 OccuNet Classic

Published

2 days ago

Jun 9, 2026

GolfWRX Staff

With the PGA Tour across the border in Canada this week, GolfWRX Tour Photographer Greg Moore stayed stateside and headed to the OccuNet Classic presented by Amarillo National Bank in Amarillo, Texas.

It’s always interesting to see what the guys are playing on the KFT, and this week certainly hasn’t disappointed so far, with some incredible wedge stamping on display.

Check out links to all our albums below.

General Albums

2026 OccuNet Classic (KFT) – Monday #1

WITB Albums

Pullout Albums

Luke Potter’s custom Cameron putter – 2026 OccuNet Classic (KFT)

News

From the GolfWRX Classifieds: Scotty Cameron GOLO 6 with BGT Stability Tour2 2022 M Edition

Published

2 days ago

Jun 9, 2026

Will Schube

At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals who all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.

It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.

Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, @HuskerFlyer is sharing a Scotty Cameron GOLO with a BGT Stability Tour2 2022 M Edition shaft. While the putter is certainly enviable, the Augusta-inspired shaft is equally noteworthy.

From the listing:

Scotty Cameron Golo 6 with BGT Stability Tour2 2022 M Edition Scotty Headcover 34″ $375

To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link. If you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum, you can learn more here: GolfWRX BST Rules.