The Loop

Wrong ball, wrong ruling: Phil Mickelson and Zach Johnson just went two down on ONE hole

October 09, 2015
Mickelson-Presidents-Cup.jpg

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Well, you don't see that every day.

In Day 2 of the Presidents Cup, Zach Johnson and Phil Mickelson reached the seventh hole at the Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea all square in their match against Adam Scott and Jason Day. When the foursome teed off at the eighth, the Internationals found themselves 2-up.

Sounds like a riddle, right? Here's what went down:

Mickelson was unaware that the one-ball rule was in effect during this contest. As he had switched to a different model -- Mickelson was trying to get extra distance at No. 7 -- he violated the mandate, and was told he was disqualified from the hole. This left Johnson to play by himself, with his score of five losing to Day's four.

Alas, Mickelson was given the wrong ruling. Rather than picking up, he could have played the hole out, theoretically tying Day's score. But, because he didn't finish, the US had to forfeit another point.

Confused? Join the club. The NBC/Golf Channel broadcast, for the life of them, could not figure out what happened. US Captain Jay Haas was likewise in the dark. As was Twitter:

In a related note, the ref from Monday night's Seahawks-Lions game is saying a few extra prayers of thanks tonight.