Phil Mickelson putting meltdown at U.S. Open is epic (Video)

Phil Mickelson went completely out of character during his third round at the 2018 U.S. Open and lost his mind on the course.

Saturday is always considered “Moving Day” at a golf tournament but Phil Mickelson took that phrase a little too far during his third round at the U.S. Open.

As the biggest bridesmaid in U.S. Open history with a record six runner-up finishes, one of those coming at this same (but different) Shinnecock Hills course back in 2004, Phil Mickelson had to be a bit frustrated coming into his third round. Celebrating his 48th birthday on Saturday, the five-time major champion is running out of chances to win the one major championship keeping him from the career Grand Slam, also the one golf tournament he’s wanted to win more than any other, and he knew he wasn’t going to win this one.

Following an opening-round 77, Mickelson followed it up with a 1-under-par round of 69 in Friday’s second round but was still a full 10 shots behind leader Dustin Johnson heading into the weekend. He got off to a decent start on Saturday with three consecutive pars and then birdied the 481-yard, par-4 fourth hole to get to 1-under for the day.

But Mickelson then made bogey at the fifth and tacked on two more and eight and nine to go out in 37. He made the turn and continued his ride on the bogey train at 10 and 11, putting him at 4-over for the day. He made par at the 12th and came to the 366-yard par-4 13th and just snapped.

After a nice drive into the fairway, he hit his approach to the right of the green some 35 yards from the hole. He hit his third back over the green on the other side and finally got on in four. From just over 18 feet, he hit his bogey effort well past the hole and then went John Daly on everyone.

With his ball about to roll down the slope, Lefty ran to his ball … as it was moving … and just gave it a whack back towards the cup, obviously missing, and then just marked his ball like nothing had happened. He missed that putt as well and then tapped in for a 10 with the penalty he had to take, putting him at 10-over for the day and in a position where he’s going to have some explaining to do. Take a look.

As he’s still on the golf course at the time of this writing, Mickelson hasn’t yet spoken on the matter but word from the FOX broadcast is that he took the penalty on purpose in protest of the pin placements and the setup in general, a setup that he actually said he enjoyed earlier in the week.

Shinnecock Hills has been ripping apart the world’s best players all week and it all must have just gotten to Mickelson. Not a good look for the birthday boy, who apparently is simply becoming a grumpy old man.

Next: U.S. Open: Complete list of previous winners

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