(06-19-2018, 12:01 AM)NYC4jags Wrote: I don't take much issue with it, but the way he explained it certainly paints him in a negative light.

He attempted to manipulate a rule in an unsportsmanlike fashion.  In many sports, such an action is commonplace.  Golf is not one of those sports. He'll lose some respect from this thing - but he'll be fine.

How poorly he's been playing of late is the real story here. He's had massive blow-up rounds in three recent tournaments.

I agree totally that his response to his actions was much worse than the action itself. Your comment of his recent play definitely factors in to what he did. He was driving the ball really well in this tournament and, if not for his putting, could have been right near the top of the leaderboard. The realization that he will never win the elusive 4th leg of the career grandslam must really bother him and the combination of that plus seeing his ball heading off the green caused him to something really stupid. Phil has always done things his way such as hitting drivers on difficult holes while leading majors with just a few holes to go or going for it rather than punching out from the woods in similar situations. Those actions, while not being smart, are one of the reasons he is so popular with golf fans. What he did on Sunday cannot be compared to his sometimes reckless style of play. I really believe he already regrets what he did, but will unlikely say this since that would go against his belief that he is always "the smartest guy in the room."

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