It wasn't a good day for USGA Executive Director Mike Davis. Nor was it a good day for Phil Mickelson.
Mickelson should've been DQ'd. His conduct was unbecoming of someone of his stature and significance in the game. Uncharacteristically, he tried to make himself bigger than the game today to make a statement. He's human, he's done far more good for the game than bad... but he should've been DQ'd nonetheless for his extreme lack of respect for the spirit of the game. This will definitely stick with him for several years, and I find that extremely unfortunate.
And this is the 4th consecutive tournament that the USGA has assumed the center of controversy. In 2015, Davis took the US Open to Chambers Bay where the players were forced to deal with fescue greens. In 2016 there was the rules controversy in the final round involving DJ with his ball moving on the green, which was enforced after-the-fact. Last year, 2017, they created a bomber's paradise with soft conditions and 60-yard fairways, leading to record scoring. And now this, in 2018... Shinnecock Hills, which Davis admitted they misjudged and miscalculated the weather.
+9 was the cut line to make it into the weekend. As of Saturday evening, +8 is tied for 16th place.
No disrespect to Tony Finau and Daniel Berger.... but I'm hoping one of those two guys win tomorrow, just to prove how inept and incompetent the USGA leadership is.
All in this 'almighty' effort to 'protect par.'