USGA Issues Statement on Ruling for Phil Mickelson's Controversial Stroke

The USGA released a statement Sunday morning regarding Phil Mickelson's controversial move to putt a moving ball at the U.S. Open and the corresponding ruling to penalize him two strokes rather than disqualify him from the tournament for the action:

On Saturday, Mickelson putted a still-moving ball on No. 13, which was rolling away from the hole and picking up enough speed to roll off the green. He said he knew he would incur the penalty but wanted to move on to the next hole.

"Look, I don't mean disrespect to anybody," he said, per Sam Farmer of the Los Angeles Times. "I know it's a two-shot penalty. 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 and moved on. It's my understanding of the rules. I've had multiple times where I've wanted to do that. I just finally did."

He continued:

"It was going to go down in the same spot, behind the bunker. [I] wasn't going to have a shot. I don't know if I would have been able to save a shot or whatnot, 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 move on."

Mickelson carded a 10 for the hole. His playing partner, Andrew Johnston, had a laugh over the matter:

"I said that was one of the strangest things I've ever seen, and then just started laughing, to be honest. I said, 'I'm sorry, but I've got to laugh at this.' I've never seen anything like it. It's something you might see at your home course with your mates or something. But it was just a moment—I think it's just a moment of madness."

But it was less of a laughing matter on social media, where a fiery debate broke out regarding Mickelson's decision, whether it was in the spirit of sportsmanship and whether he should continue playing at Shinnecock Hills: 

In a day that may have otherwise been remembered for the playing conditions, Mickelson provided a bizarre and unexpected moment. It didn't affect his chance to compete for the U.S. Open title—he sits at 15-over, 12 strokes behind the leaders.