Birthday boy Mickelson penalised for bizarrely hitting moving ball

Phil Mickelson let his frustration get the best of him on the 13th green of the U.S. Open when he putted a moving ball.

Published : Jun 17, 2018 02:04 IST

Birthday boy Phil Mickelson was given a two-shot penalty for bizarrely putting a moving ball on moving day as he lost his head at the U.S. Open.

The five-time major champion's frustration got the better of him when his bogey putt from above the hole went past the cup on the par-four 13th hole at Shinnecock Hills on Saturday.

Mickelson chased after his ball and putted back towards the hole before it had stopped in a third round to forget on his 48th birthday.

An eight became a 10 due to his breach of the rules, so the American signed for a horror 11-over round of 81 to go back to 17 over.

Mickelson was already a long way out of contention in Long Island, where a double-bogey at the second cut compatriot Dustin Johnson's lead to two shots.

Johnson three-putted to move back to two under, with Justin Rose one under through four.