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ORLANDO, FLORIDA – JANUARY 22: Paige Spiranac speaks at the PGA Merchandise Show on January 22, 2020, in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Gerardo Mora/Getty Images for SiriusXM)
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ORLANDO, FLORIDA – JANUARY 22: Paige Spiranac speaks at the PGA Merchandise Show on January 22, 2020, in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Gerardo Mora/Getty Images for SiriusXM)
The USGA allowed the LIV Golf players to play in its major tournament, although the PGA Tour suspended them from its events. However, none of them could shine in the U.S. Open, with Phil Mickelson struggling in both the tournament and the press meet.
“I mean, Phil, like, played terribly,” Paige Spiranac said. “His press conference was truly, truly horrendous.” The former professional golfer explained how Mickelson seemed not his usual self in the U.S. Open Championship week.
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Phil Mickelson is famous for his confidence and the way he handles reporters’ questions. He always tries to find the funny side of every topic and makes the press meets interesting. However, the 6-time major winner was nothing like that when he appeared for the pre-tournament press meet at the Brookline Country Club.
His comments about the LIV Golf Invitational Series and its officials had caused him trouble after it was published online. “That’s one of the mistakes I’ve been making,” the golfer said about him revealing private opinions public.
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AL MUROOJ, SAUDI ARABIA – FEBRUARY 04: Phil Mickelson of the United States reacts on the 9th hole during day two of the PIF Saudi International at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club on February 4, 2022 in Al Murooj, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Luke Walker/WME IMG/WME IMG via Getty Images)
Mickelson is still scarred from the controversial incident regarding the Saudi-backed league. Hence, he used his words very wisely during the press meet and said little to nothing throughout the time.
Paige Spiranac on Mickelson’s behavior at the U.S. Open press meet
“He looked so incredibly uncomfortable,” Spiranac said. She discussed the matter on the Playing a Round with Paige Renee podcast with her co-host and golf analyst, Amanda Rose.
“He was like visibly almost shaking,” she added. The 1-time Cactus Tour winner further added, “He didn’t seem like himself. Like, he didn’t want to answer any of the questions.”
Read more: When Phil Mickelson Named His ‘3 Biggest Professional Regrets’
Interestingly, Spiranac was a fan of Phil Mickelson before. However, she became “anti-Phil” after he blocked her on social media for no reason. According to Spiranac, they weren’t friends before the incident. Yet she respected him and never bad-mouthed him until he blocked her.
Phil Mickelson on the 2022 U. S. Open
Mickelson has never won a U.S. Open title. Therefore, he might have wanted to bring his A-game to the course last week. However, like the previous week at the LIV Golf event, he couldn’t play well.
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Lefty scored a 78 in the first round and a 73 in the second round. He played better in round 2; however, it was not enough to advance to the final rounds. The 52-year-old golfer finished the two rounds with an 11-over 151.
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What did you think of the way Phil Mickelson behaved and played in the U. S. Open?
Watch This Story: Paige Spiranac Spills the Details About Her Recent Flight Trip
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