The U.S. Open so far has given fans a lot of chills and thrills with the play on the course, but controversy is never too far.
This time, to no one’s surprise, Phil Mickelson is at the front and center of it. Just as he was approaching the 18th hole of his opening round, a fan in the stands started heckling him about LIV Golf, among other things.
According to Sports Illustrated, Mickelson’s $200 million LIV Golf deal and a faux sponsorship with “Victoria’s Secret,” were among the topics that a heckler in a sombrero was shouting at Mickelson.
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 has been a staunch supporter of LIV Golf and was one of the first PGA Tour golfers to jump ship. While his vocal support of the tour angered a lot of his fellow golfers, news emerged recently that the two tours would merge.
A lot of fans and media across the country were displeased when they heard that the two tours would merge especially after PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan all but said it wouldn’t happen.
Well, it has and Mickelson’s attitude has turned off a lot of golf fans and gained him several enemies since his move to the Saudi-backed venture. So, he hasn’t exactly endeared himself to folks like the heckler in the sombrero.
If this merger does indeed stand, he and other LIV golfers probably need to get used to the ridicule and subsequent heckling from fans, because it likely won’t be going away soon.
[SI, Dylan Dethier on Twitter]
