When Phil Mickelson birdied the eighth hole on Saturday, there was steam coming out of his ears. Just minutes before he rolled in a 15-footer for birdie, Mickelson was accosted by a fan after hitting his second shot from the rough.
The fan, likely a teenager, sources said, ran behind Mickelson after the shot and started slapping him on the back and yelling what may have been encouragement — but out of bounds at a professional golf event.
Mickelson's management group Gaylord Sports had no comment, but others who witnessed the incident suggested it was a product of the lack of proper marshaling and policing that has occurred all week at Atlanta Athletic Club.
According to some fans, the marshals are more interested in following what's going on during play than watching the crowd and controlling their actions.
The PGA of America issued this statement about the Mickelson incident: "It was an unfortunate situation, and we will take measures to make sure a situation like this does not happen again."
Mickelson declined to talk with the media after his round.
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