by Phil Mickelson once exploded in the Masters locker room against Vijay Singh during an argument over the now LIV golf star’s spikes. In 2005, tensions rose between the sport’s top players, with Mickelson, Singh, Tiger Woods and Ernie Els having a frosty relationship.
Singh had little trouble getting under his rivals’ skin. The PGA Tour’s top-ranked player at the time, the Fijian, was reported to have complained about Mickelson’s spikes on the 12th hole at Augusta National.
According to the story, Singh called an officer over to protest that the spikes on Mickelson’s soles were leaving clear marks in the ground. The American, who had switched from 6mm to 8mm spikes a few days earlier, was told that someone would file them down.
Stuart Appleby, Mickelson’s playing partner, is said to have quipped: “What are they going to send? A blacksmith?”
The chairman of Augusta National’s competition committee later revealed that the spikes had never been filed, saying, “One of our officials spoke to Phil to see if there was a burr on the side of one of his spikes.” As you know , he very generously said that if there was a problem he would change them when he arrived. That didn’t exist.”
Mickelson felt Singh could have handled the situation more sensitively and perhaps brought it to the attention of officials at the end of the round.
He then said: “I was extremely distracted and would have liked to have handled it differently or after the round.” After sitting in the dressing room for a while, I overheard Vijay talking about it with other players and confronted him. He expressed his concerns. “I expressed my disappointment in the way it was handled.”
However, Mickelson’s version of events is reported to be extremely watered down. According to Golf WRX, he entered the locker room and heard Singh criticizing him to other players. It is alleged that Mickelson yelled at his rival, called him a “motherf*****” and offered to settle their differences outside.
This version of events was largely confirmed by Steve Williams, Tiger Woods’ caddy at the time, on the Chasing Majors podcast.
I think it was just Phil and Vijay,” said Williams, who added that Mickelson’s spikes were “certainly legal.” He continued: “I understand there was a heated conversation in the dressing room. There’s certainly no love lost between these two.”
Mickelson finished 10th that year and Woods won. Twelve months later, however, there was a third green jacket for the now 54-year-old.
And when Singh was criticized in 2020 for attending a Korn Ferry Tour event, Mickelson jumped to his defense, saying: “It’s no secret that VJ and I are not close, but that’s what I want in.” Say his name.” Not only is he a member of the HoF, but he also has a large share in the success of the PGA Tour, which financially subsidizes the KFT and always has. He has earned the right to play whenever and wherever he wants.”
However, Sing has yet to return the compliment to Mickelson after he decided to compete on the LIV Golf Tour in 2022.
