Fowler Fully Supports Mickelson As Controversy In Hitting Moving Ball Continues.

Shinnecock Hills, NY …

Rickie Fowler was Phil Mickelson’s partner during the third round of the U.S.Open when Mickelson bizarrely ran after is ball on the 13th green before proceeding to hit his ball back in the direction of the cup when it was still in motion.

Mickleson was assessed a two-shot penalty under the Rules of Golf for hitting a ball while moving.

Much has been said about the actions of the five-time Major winner and with many calling for Mickelson to have been disqualified but the USGA was not about to entertain any such action suffice to say he had been duly afforded the penalty as laid out in the Rules of Golf.

While Mickelson declined any final round interviews Fowler found himself drawn into the on-going controversy at the end of his fourth round of 65 for an overall 11-over par tally.

Rickie Fowlwer goes out and shoots a final US Open round of 65 but soon finds himself facing questions over Phil Mickelson’s actions a day earlier.

“I mean, it just shows you how borderline that pin could be, especially the timing and the day, going into the afternoon,” said Fowler.

“Yeah, I think it was just — it was an interesting pin with where the wind went to. We knew it was supposed to go to there.
You know, he could have saved himself a shot by just letting it go and taking unplayable, but then that would still look pretty funny too if you’re able to, you know, hit the putt, goes off the green wherever it may go, bunker or down wherever, and you take an unplayable and put it back.

“You shouldn’t necessarily have to do that with how the course — the course shouldn’t play that way”.

Q. Have you ever thought about hitting the ball while it was still moving out of frustration?
RICKIE FOWLER: “I think more so the times when you’re playing with your buddies and you just want to slap it away as far as you can possibly hit it. I haven’t necessarily thought of hitting it back towards the hole, and I didn’t even really think of the unplayable thing until after the fact.

“I think I’d be more in shock if — I don’t know if I would have had the wits like Phil to run after it. But whether that was the best play or not, it is what it is. Nice to see that, like I said, the pins are a bit safer today, and there shouldn’t be any issues. Hopefully not.

Q. Rickie, is a two-shot penalty enough or do you see it as a serious breach of etiquette for which you should be disqualified?
RICKIE FOWLER: “It should be almost the same as taking the unplayable in a way. If you’re able to take an unplayable in any situation, really, and put it back from where you hit it before, I don’t think it’s any breach of etiquette or anything like that.”



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