Phil Mickelson nearly had to withdraw from the final round of the 2019 BMW Championship on Sunday after his hotel was struck by lightning and caught on fire.
Mickelson tweeted Sunday morning he was worried he wouldn't make his 11:52 a.m. Eastern tee time at Medinah Country Club because of a freak situation.
How’s this for crazy? My hotel was struck by lighting, I was on top floor,we were evacuated and the place is on fire(only thing of mine on fire this week.) I can’t get back into my room and may miss my tee time because I am without clubs and clothes.
— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) August 18, 2019
Mickelson and his traveling party were evacuated from their top-floor accommodations at Eaglewood Resort and couldn't get back into their room until firefighters and EMTs were able to assess the situation and put out the fire.
For a while, it was looking like things were going to be tight and that Mickelson might well have to withdraw -- or play with a rental set (perhaps right-handed) and in some pants he would buy from the pro shop at Medinah. Fortunately, however, the EMTs acted quickly and took care of the situation, allowing Mickelson to get to his final round tee time on schedule.
EMT’s were awesome! I’m going to make it. Turns out my clubs acted as a fire retardant. Lucky me🤗
— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) August 18, 2019
Mickelson arrive at Medinah wearing flip-flops, putting his golf shoes on in the parking lot. He took a few practice swings behind his car, with some 35 minutes to spare before his tee time.
Phil Mickelson is at Medinah. Pulled in at 10:15 local. Arrived in flip flops and put his spikes on in the parking lot. Took a couple swings with a training aid and went to the range. He’s off 10 tee in 30 minutes. pic.twitter.com/H3WP2tKHz7
— Nick Menta (@NickMentaGC) August 18, 2019
Mickelson starts Sunday on 4-under 212, 17 shots behind leader Justin Thomas. Barring a miracle finish on Sunday, Mickelson will not move far up enough the leaderboard at the BMW Championship to end the weekend in the top 30 in the FedEx Cup standings and qualify for the season-ending Tour Championship next week in Atlanta. He has to move from T-47 into at least sixth place by the end of play on Sunday.
However, it should be a fun finish to his season, as Mickelson plays with Brooks Koepka and Dylan Frittelli on Sunday.
JT Poston was also staying at Eaglewood, but per ESPN, he chose to walk to Medinah the mile or so from the resort with his golf bag in tow rather than wait to go back to his room to get his car keys. Walking up the fifth hole at Medinah, Poston was picked up by a PGA Tour rules official.
