Report: Security remove Phil Mickelson LIV heckler (in sombrero?!) at US Open
Phil Mickelson was serenaded with abuse about LIV Golf during the opening round of the 2023 US Open at Los Angeles Country Club.
Phil Mickelson was reportedly hammered with abuse about LIV Golf by a heckler wearing a sombrero and a fake moustache during the opening round of the 2023 US Open.
A focused Mickelson arrived at Los Angeles Country Club just days after an agreement was announced between the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and the Saudi Arabian backers of the rival league he helped to create in secret.
Understandably, Mickelson was in a chipper mood in the immediate aftermath of the bombshell that has knocked several players like Rory McIlroy for six.
Mickelson refused to talk about that before teeing it up in the major that he has never won, suggesting he didn't want to waste his energy on it.
He doubled down on that stance immediately after his opening 69.
Weird scene on 9 green — Phil Mickelson was standing over his putt when a guy in a sombrero started shouting from the bleachers. Kept going for a solid 30 seconds. Long story short…he’s not a fan.
Here’s the grainiest photo of all time right before security arrived: pic.twitter.com/e2eTzScqqD— Dylan Dethier (@dylan_dethier) June 16, 2023
Mickelson's day was interrupted by a rowdy heckler on the par-3 ninth hole at LACC.
Standing over a 28-foot putt for birdie, a fan wearing a fake moustache and a sombrero put Lefty on full blast.
Per a report by Golf, security had to climb into the stands to eject the fan who shouted at Mickelson:
Mickelson just stood and waited for fan to be removed. Some fans shouted 'we love Phil' which drew some applause, Golf reported.
"I played okay. I hit a few swings coming down the stretch," Mickelson later told the media. "I made two bad swings that cost me a few strokes, but I hit a lot of good shots."
So is he willing to talk about the agreement between golf's parties now?
Mickelson said:
Mickelson wasn't the only LIV Golf player targeted by a heckler on the opening day. Dustin Johnson was also on the receiving end of a dig that was a clear nod to his infamous past.
More GolfMagic articles from 2023 US Open:
- Rory McIlroy cracks up at heckler
- Golf fans shocked by Patrick Reed gesture
- Los Angeles Country Club course breakdown
- Morikawa with epic PGA Tour-PIF answer
- McIlroy avoids Mickelson mix-up
- Cantlay weighs in on Rahm 'betrayal' remark
- Justin Rose still baffled by Ryder Cup exclusions
- Koepka from the top rope with PGA Tour joke
- Fowler makes shock JT, Spieth admission
- LIV backers setting up compensation fund for loyalists
Watched our latest YouTube video?
Ben joined the GolfMagic team in September 2021, initially as a content executive.
These days, he assumes the position of content manager.
