Phil Mickelson is one of the most respected names in golf.
But the two-time PGA Championship winner had to rely on some extra outside help to survive a historic embarrassment at the 2023 tournament.
Mickelson, 53, spent much of that year going after the PGA after making a controversial jump to the LIV tour.
When the 45-time PGA Tour winner appeared at the Oak Hill Country Club in 2023, he was confident that he still knew the PGA rule book.
In the second round, Mickelson cranked a tee shot that ended up in the water.
The veteran golfer responded by dropping a ball near the area where he thought his original ball had entered the water hazard.
Mickelson planned to give himself two club lengths of space.
When he asked playing partner Rickie Fowler if that was allowed, Fowler responded with a positive thumbs up.
There was only one big problem.
Mickelson didn’t know all the rules and was unaware of a key PGA update.
When a rules official crossed the fairway and told Mickelson, who won the PGA Championship in 2005 and ’21, that his drop was incorrect, Tiger Woods’ former rival insisted the official was wrong.
A second official was brought in — backing the first one — and Mickelson finally realized his error.
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Mickelson was saved a 1-stroke penalty on a day when he was flirting with the cut line.
“The guy came over and saved me a penalty because I had dropped it in the ruling under last year and didn’t realize it had been changed,” Mickelson said. “He came and saved me a stroke, so I was very appreciative.”
It’s been an uneven run for Mickelson at recent PGA Championships.
He became the oldest golfer to win a major when he hoisted the trophy in 2021.
But Mickelson chose not to defend his title in 2022 after joining LIV.
Last year, Mickelson argued with an official and almost received a glaring penalty.
He finished tied-for-58th at 10-over par.
Rory McIlroy, Brooks Koepka and Tiger Woods are among the stars expected to tee off during the first round on Thursday as the PGA Championship returns to Valhalla in 2024.
