St George’s course officials wear hard hats when Phil Mickelson plays through

Very entertaining read by UK writer Matthew Dunn about course officials dawning hard hats while Phil Mickelson plays through during practice rounds at Royal St. George’s Links.  The whole article is here.

By Matthew Dunn

PHIL MICKELSON’S scattergun approach to links golf led to marshals being issued with hard hats to protect them from crossfire yesterday.

Strong crosswinds were affecting parts of the course and news reached the chief marshal’s hut that American Phil Mickelson was struggling more than most.

To such a degree, in fact, that his practice shots on the third hole – an exposed corner of the St George’s links – were drifting in the wind and peppering course officials. Even before the tournament this year, marshals were asked if they wanted head protection to wear while carrying out their duties along the fairways. However, nobody appears to have taken up that option.

When the officials on the third did take cover, it was only temporarily as the helmets were soon replaced by more familiar green caps once Mickelson had passed through.

Other players obviously do not pose the same threat.

You just have to love the UK media.