Phil Mickelson at Byron Nelson Championship

Phil is creating a lot of news this past couple of weeks. First the announcement that he is ditching long time swing coach Rick Smith for Butch Harmon was a big surprise. With all the eyes on his new swing to be revealed in the Byron Nelson, he’s in the news for the wrong reasons.

According to reports, he didn’t turn up for the PRO-AM mandatory event on Wednesday. For those not in the know, if you don’t turn out for the PRO-AM events you don’t play! Ask Retief Goosen, he was late by 10mins and was disqualified for the 2005 Nissan Open. Is the USPGA practicing double standards?

“A lot of players are not happy,” world No. 19 Robert Allenby said after the first round on Thursday. I like Phil, but when the Tour sets a precedent, they’ve got to stick with it,” Allenby said. “He (Mickelson) checked into the hotel here when I checked in on Monday.” “He came here, was on site, and he elected to go somewhere else, knowing the weather was going to be crappy. He took the risk. Take the risk and you pay the penalty.” Apparently, the USPGA has a ruling that states disqualification except in “extenuating circumstances.”

So what constitutes “extenuating circumstances?” Retief tried to make it and was late, he deserved the disqualification? Piece of advice from Olaf! Next time, just don’t bother to turn up at all and you can play!

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