Two Masters champions will go two years without seeing each other at the major, two decades after their notorious locker room confrontation.
Phil Mickelson (2004, 06, 10) – who has withdrawn from this year’s event – and Vijay Singh (2000) – who pulled out of last year’s – clashed in dramatic fashion back in 2005. At the same major forever linked to Tiger Woods’ iconic chip-in on 16, the pair came to blows following the second round on Friday.
Singh, who had earlier that year stirred controversy in the golf world by demanding officials check Woods’ driver at Bay Hill, appeared to be at it once again. This time, his grievance was directed at Lefty’s spikes – alleging they were leaving significant damage and gouges in the greens.
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At hole 12, Singh summoned an official to lodge a complaint against Mickelson, who was playing in the group ahead. The 54-year-old, who had switched from 6mm to 8mm spikes just weeks prior, was promptly notified of the complaint. He was also informed, according to reports, that his spikes would be filed down if deemed necessary.
His playing partner at the time, Stuart Appleby, quipped, “What are they going to send? A blacksmith?”
As it turned out, no filing was required, and former Augusta National competition chair Will Nicholson swiftly resolved the situation.
“One of our officials talked to Phil to see if there was a burr on the side of one of his spikes,” he said. “He very generously, as you know he would, said he would change them when he got in if there was a problem. There wasn’t.”
Phil Mickelson and Vijay Singh clashed in the locker room after the round -Credit:Getty Images, Getty Images
The drama didn’t end there, though, as Mickelson expressed his frustration to reporters following the round.
“I was extremely distracted and would have appreciated if it would have been handled differently or after the round,” said Mickelson. “After sitting in the locker room for a while, I heard Vijay talking to other players about it, and I confronted him. He expressed his concerns. I expressed my disappointment with the way it was handled.”
Yet, numerous accounts from that time paint a far more heated picture. Reports suggest that upon overhearing Singh discussing him in the locker room, Mickelson approached the Fijian and called him a ‘motherf—–‘. It’s also claimed that Mickelson challenged Singh to take things outside. Unsurprisingly, that never materialized.
Someone who has subsequently verified the altercation is Woods’ ex-caddie, Steve Williams.
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Addressing the incident on ‘Chasing Majors’, while noting that Mickelson’s spikes exceeded standard length but remained within regulations, he stated, “I think it was just Phil and Vijay.
“I understand there was a bit of a heated conversation in the locker room. There’s no love lost between those two, that’s for sure.”
Mickelson placed 10th, Singh shared fifth place, and Woods claimed his fourth Green Jacket. Mickelson’s position on Singh has apparently mellowed in the intervening years, with the 6-foot-3 LIV Golf player defending his competitor in 2020.
Phil Mickelson present Tiger Woods with the Green Jacket in 2005 -Credit:Getty Images
Singh had evidently faced criticism from certain quarters for accepting a place on the Korn Ferry Tour – traditionally a development pathway for players attempting to reach the PGA Tour.
Lefty, however, came to Singh’s defense.
Writing on X, he stated at the time: “It’s no secret VJ and I aren’t close, but I’d like to say on his behalf that in addition to being a member of the HofF, he’s a big part of the PGA Tour’s success which financially subsidizes, and always has, the KFT. He has earned the right to play when and where he wants.”
