Phil Mickelson's 48th birthday took a bizarre twist on Saturday as he was penalised for deliberately hitting a moving ball in the third round of the US Open.
Mickelson, who was already four over par for the day, badly overhit a putt on the 13th green which looked in danger of rolling off the putting surface.
The five-time major winner prevented that from happening by running after the ball and hitting it while it was still rolling, a breach of rule 14-5 which incurs a two-shot penalty.
Mickelson then told his critics to "toughen up" after admitting he deliberately hit a moving ball to gain an advantage.
Former US PGA champion Steve Elkington called for Mickelson to be disqualified, writing on Twitter: "Absolutely 100% conduct unbecoming ... hes trying to embarrass the @USGA DQ his ass."
And LPGA player Christina Kim wrote on Twitter: "I have never done anything so ghastly. I'm curious to know what sort of "logic" caused him to do that. I'm in shock."
I have never done anything so ghastly. I’m curious to know what sort of "logic" caused him to do that. I’m in shock. https://t.co/UfVN1nMvxo
— Christina Kim (@TheChristinaKim) June 16, 2018
However, Mickelson, who eventually made a 10 on the 13th in a round of 81 which equalled his highest score in the US Open, said: "If someone is offended I apologise, but toughen up.
"Knowing the rules is never a bad thing. You always want to use them in your favour. I know the rules and the ball was going to go off in a bad spot. I did not feel like continuing going back and forth. I would still be out there potentially.
"I've wanted to do it many times before and finally did. I should have done it a couple of times on 15 at Augusta. That would have saved me a shot or two back then."
Mickelson and playing partner Andrew Johnston were laughing about the incident as they walked off the green and Mickelson added: "How can you not laugh? It's funny. I just wanted to get to the next hole and did not see that happening without the two shots."
Commentating on the incident for Fox, former Ryder Cup captain Paul Azinger said: "That's the most out of character I have ever seen Phil.
"I think he just snapped. I'm sure he is going to regret that."
Phil Mickelson has had enough of hole 13 at the #USOpen pic.twitter.com/MKeYBHSLDJ
— FOX Sports Radio (@FoxSportsRadio) June 16, 2018
Two-time US Open champion Curtis Strange added: "He will feel some embarrassment because there are a lot of people and kids watching that really admire this guy."
RTÉ golf correspondent Greg Allen said the incident is causing a lot of bemusement among the media and galleries at Shinnecock Hills.
Mickelson could be "vulnerable to a 'conduct unbecoming a professional' ruling", which would be a reputation shredder."
Allen reports that the USGA are satisfied with levying a two stroke penalty.
Mickelson’s striking of a moving ball looked so deliberate it’s causing a lot of head scratching here.He’s usually a stickler for the rules but might be vulnerable to a ‘conduct unbecoming a professional’ ruling.Which would be reputation shredder.And is 2 strokes enough penalty?
— Greg Allen (@gregallenRTE) June 16, 2018
USGA sticking with just a 2 stroke penalty for striking a moving ball. They have spoken to Mickelson and he has accepted the penalty. They are not considering that he sought to claim a competitive advantage. They are not seeking to explore the notion of intent.
— Greg Allen (@gregallenRTE) June 16, 2018
The incident overshadowed the 66 from Daniel Berger which gave the chasing pack hope of catching leader Dustin Johnson at Shinnecock Hills.
Johnson held a four-shot lead over fellow Americans Scott Piercy and Charley Hoffman as he looks to claim a second US Open title in the space of three years.
History suggests the 33-year-old is an odds-on favourite to become only the second player after Tiger Woods to win while ranked world number one, with five of the previous six players to hold a halfway lead of four shots or more going on to win.
However, Berger's score, which equalled the lowest of the week so far, proved that it was possible to make up ground, the world number 43 carding six birdies and two bogeys to move just outside the top 10.
