LOS ANGELES — Phil Mickelson was getting ready to close out a solid first round at the U.S. Open Thursday when he was forced to step away from a long putt because of a heckler.
A man wearing a sombrero and stick-on mustache stood along the railing of the grandstand and screamed at Mickelson before the fan was escorted from the spot by security, according to reports.
Mickelson was putting on No. 9, his final hole of the day when the heckler went on for about 30 seconds, referencing Mickelson’s association with LIV Golf, including his $200 million deal, and “Victoria’s Secret sponsorship.”
US Open fan booted for heckling Phil Mickelson in bizarre scene
A sombrero-wearing rabble-rouser was kicked out of the U.S. Open Thursday for heckling Phil Mickelson. As the six-time major champion was lining up to putt on the ninth hole of the Los Angeles Country Club, his… pic.twitter.com/0HCjIq8H1G— Dr.LyndaBarnes (@MrsBarnesII) June 16, 2023
Golf.com spoke to a fan who said the heckler said something about “red lipstick and nine-inch heels.” He was escorted off the grandstand by security.
Mickelson two-putted the hole and closed with a 1-under 69, seven shots behind leaders Rickie Fowler and Xander Schauffele.
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Mickelson is one of 15 golfers from LIV Golf in the U.S. Open field. Last week the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, which owns LIV Golf, announced they were forming a new company that would combine their commercial businesses and rights. With the rival tours coming together the future of LIV Golf remains unclear.
A federal lawsuit was filed June 8 by Cool Brands Supply, an Argentina corporation, accusing LIV Golf and Mickelson’s HyFlyers GC team of using a “nearly identical logo” that is used for Fallen Footwear.