Mickelson "Embarrassed And Disappointed" After US Open Penalty

Mickelson issued a brief statement on his US Open actions via text message to a small number of media

Mickelson "Embarrassed And Disappointed"
(Image credit: Getty Images)

The five-time major winner has revealed that he is embarrassed and disappointed by his episode last week

Mickelson "Embarrassed And Disappointed" After US Open Penalty

Phil Mickelson stole the headlines at Shinnecock Hills last week when he purposely hit a moving ball on the 13th green.

Was it a 'heads-gone' moment, a protest to the USGA or an attempt to gain an advantage like he said?

We'll never fully know but Lefty has now made more comment.

Three days after the tournament's climax, which saw Brooks Koepka successfully defend the trophy, Mickelson issued a brief statement via text to some media.

Golf.com's Alan Shipnuck revealed its contents and they were strong words, with the five-time major winner coming across like he regretted the whole situation.

"I know this should've come sooner, but it's taken me a few days to calm down," Mickelson wrote in the text according to Shipnuck.

"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's reputation has suffered from this whole episode, bringing unwanted attention and controversy to himself and the game.

He initially said that he hit the moving ball to gain an advantage and that it is something he has thought about before, so was that true?

Read: Mickelson's comments after hitting moving ball at US Open

Or does his "my anger and frustration got the best of me" imply that it was a spur-of-the-moment thing, which his playing partner Andrew Beef Johnston believed, saying "He didn't mean it. It just happened. End of story."

Only time will tell, but at least we can respect him for his honesty.

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Phil's wife Amy spoke on Sunday to Golf.com whilst her husband was signing autographs, saying that he is "a good man who had a bad moment."

“He’s not perfect — I’m not, you’re not," she continued.

Let us know your reaction to Phil's comments on our social media channels.

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Elliott Heath
News Editor

Elliott Heath is our News Editor and has been with Golf Monthly since early 2016 after graduating with a degree in Sports Journalism. He manages the Golf Monthly news team as well as our large Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. He covered the 2022 Masters from Augusta National as well as five Open Championships on-site including the 150th at St Andrews. His first Open was in 2017 at Royal Birkdale, when he walked inside the ropes with Jordan Spieth during the Texan's memorable Claret Jug triumph. He has played 35 of our Top 100 golf courses, with his favourites being both Sunningdales, Woodhall Spa, Western Gailes, Old Head and Turnberry. He has been obsessed with the sport since the age of 8 and currently plays off of a six handicap. His golfing highlights are making albatross on the 9th hole on the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa, shooting an under-par round, playing in the Aramco Team Series on the Ladies European Tour and making his one and only hole-in-one at the age of 15 - a long time ago now!

Elliott is currently playing:

Driver: Titleist TSR4

3 wood: Titleist TSi2

Hybrids: Titleist 816 H1

Irons: Mizuno MP5 5-PW

Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore 50, 54, 58

Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG #5

Ball: Srixon Z Star XV