Phil Mickelson Loses Cool and Swats Moving Ball at U.S. Open

Phil Mickelson reacted to a shot from the fescue on Saturday on the fifth hole at the United States Open.SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. — In a shocking rules breach at the United States Open on Saturday, Phil Mickelson ran after a missed putt on the 13th hole that was still rolling well past the hole, and with the ball still in motion, putted the ball back toward the cup.

Mickelson was apparently acting in frustration after another day of poor play, but hitting a moving ball draws serious penalties, especially when it is done intentionally.

Mickelson potentially faced a disqualification for stopping or deflecting a moving ball, but the U.S.G.A. ruled that it would only be a two-stroke penalty for playing…