Pro’s temper flares after buzzer-beater tee shot goes awry at Players Championship

Mulligans aren’t allowed on the PGA Tour, and they don’t fly after the first hole even for recreational rounds with friends. This morning, PGA Tour pro Keith Mitchell is wishing neither of those things were true.

The second round of the 2023 Players Championship was suspended Friday night when thunderstorms rolled through TPC Sawgrass. Nearly half the field was still on the course, so when the buzzer blew, they were forced to mark their balls and return Saturday morning to finish up.

Mitchell was standing on the tee at the par-4 5th hole when it was clear play was about to be called. Instead of waiting for the horn and saving his tee shot for Saturday, Mitchell decided to quickly get his drive over with before the round was suspended.

He instantly regretted it. Mitchell took a mighty swipe with his driver and sliced it badly, sending it careening way right. Mitchell knew how bad it was as soon as he hit it, and he responded by slamming his driver into the ground long before the ball landed.

Just after he slammed his club, the horn blew suspending play, and just after that Mitchell’s ball splashed down into a pond running along the hole.

Check out the unfortunate moment below, posted on Twitter by @BetspertsGolf:

Making the mishit more frustrating was that Mitchell stood at even par at that point, just above the cutline. When he returned Saturday morning, he was able to regain composure and save bogey on the hole, eventually finishing the round at two over for the tournament.