PHIL MICKELSON’S US Open weekend went from bad to worse after he floored a fan with a shot on Friday.
The 52-year-old American, who is chasing the only major he has not yet won, was bidding to recover from a shocking opening round which saw him end Thursday with an eight-over 78.
But his disappointing time at The Country Club continued on day two as he struck a spectator with a stray ball.
The fan was pictured lying on his back in one of the bunkers clutching his face after being hit by the ball.
And supporters nearby rushed to check on the extent of his injuries.
At the time of the incident, just nine players were below Mickelson on the 156-strong leaderboard.
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And his striking of the fan typifies what has already been a disastrous weekend for the six-time major winner – both on and off the course.
Mickelson was embroiled in controversy earlier this week after he snubbed the PGA Tour in order to take part in the first Saudi-backed LIV Golf event.
The tournament was widely criticised due to the human rights abuses in Saudi Arabia.
Mickelson was answering questions ahead of the US Open in Brookline, Massachusetts.
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And he looked embarrassed when he was asked for his reactions to the open letter from a US terrorist survivors group, 911familiesunited.org.
A letter written by Terry Strada, who lost her husband in 9/11, read: “Given Saudi Arabia’s role in the death of our loved ones and those injured on 9/11 — your fellow Americans — we are angered that you are so willing to help the Saudis cover up this history in their request for ‘respectability’.
“When you partner with the Saudis, you become complicit with their whitewash, and help give them the reputational cover they so desperately crave — and are willing to pay handsomely to manufacture.
“The Saudis do not care about the deep-rooted sportsmanship of golf or its origins as a gentleman’s game built upon core values of mutual respect and personal integrity.
“They care about using professional golf to whitewash their reputation, and they are paying you to help them do it.”
The Saudi government have insisted that any allegation they were complicit in the attacks is “categorically false”.
And Mickelson said on Monday: “I would say to the Strada family, I would say to everyone that has lost loved ones, lost friends on 9/11, that I have deep deep empathy and sympathy for them.
“I can’t emphasise that enough, and I think I speak for all Americans in that regard.”
