Harrington waits until after U.S. Open round to discuss PGA Tour-Saudi partnership with Mickelson

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Padraig Harrington and Phil Mickelson discussed many things during their two days playing in the same group at the U.S. Open. The announced partnership between the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, the primary funder of rival circuit LIV Golf, was not among them.

Harrington waited until after Friday's round to address the subject with Mickelson.

“We stopped at the end and talked for about five minutes because I was trying to get it off my chest. You don’t want to get into things like that on the course because you get distracted,” Harrington said.

Mickelson is one of the ringleaders of LIV. His infamously pointed criticisms of the tour were one of the biggest flashpoints in its messy dispute with the Saudi-funded upstart.

Mickelson, who turned 53 on Friday, was at 3-over 143 after shooting a 74 in the second round, including a double bogey on the par-3 ninth hole. Mickelson did not stop to answer questions from reporters after his round.

Harrington said he didn’t ask whether there was a possibility that Mickelson would rejoin the PGA Tour Champions. Harrington added that he would welcome Mickelson back.

Mickelson is playing in his 32nd U.S. Open. If he misses the cut, it would be the third time he hasn’t made it to the weekend in the last four years.

Harrington shot 69 on Friday and was at 2-over 142 for the tournament.

The projected cut after the morning groups was 2 over. The top 60, including ties, will move on to the weekend.

MUCH-NEEDED ACE

Matt Fitzpatrick’s chances of defending his U.S. Open title are slim. Yet he was able to produce a memorable moment.

Fitzpatrick made his first hole-in-one as a professional during Friday’s second round.

Using a sand wedge on the 115-yard, par-3 15th, Fitzpatrick bounced his tee shot right of the hole, then watched it spin into the cup.

Fitzpatrick didn’t see the ball go in, but after hearing the crowd roar and taking a few steps off the tee box, he started celebrating.

“As soon as I hit it I thought that it got a good chance of going close anyway,” Fitzpatrick said. “My hand was a bit sore afterward, I’ll be honest, after all the high-fiving.”

It was the third hole-in-one on No. 15 this week. Matthieu Pavon and Sam Burns both aced it on Thursday when it was playing at 124 yards.

However, it was the first time a defending champion has recorded a 1 during the U.S. Open. It also turned out to be sorely needed.

Fitzpatrick shot an ever-par 70 and was 1 over through 36 holes.

“Without that, I probably wouldn’t be here for the weekend. Being the defending champion here makes it a little bit more special to play out the week, regardless of the position,” he said.

TRIO OF NOTE

Fitzpatrick was in the same group with reigning U.S. Amateur champion Sam Bennett and Cam Smith, who won last year’s British Open.

Bennett has continued his excellent play in majors. He was at 5-under 135 at the midway point.

Bennett, who turned professional earlier this month, was four shots back after two rounds of the Masters before finishing tied for 16th.

Smith was 4 under after a second-round 67.

HANGING ON

Amateur Maxwell Moldovan, who earned one of the final three spots in the field as an alternate, could end up playing all four rounds.

The Ohio State senior was on the early cut line after a second straight 71.

“I had a 3-foot putt at sectionals to make it for sure and missed it. And then I had a 3-foot putt here on 9 that hopefully might get me in the weekend and made it,” Moldovan said. “I just tried to persevere and have a lot of faith. I didn’t give myself birdie opportunities, but I made a ton of good par putts to keep myself in it.”

Moldovan qualified for the U.S. Open last year but missed the cut.

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