Phil Mickelson endured a bizarre build-up to the final round of the BMW Championship after being evacuated from his hotel.
Mickelson feared he would miss his 10.52am tee time (1652 BST) at Medinah after lightning struck the roof of his hotel on Saturday night and started a fire.
The hotel was evacuated and Mickelson had to leave his clothes and clubs in his room, but was later allowed back into the building and made it to the course around 40 minutes before he was due to tee off alongside world number one Brooks Koepka and Dylan Frittelli.
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 arrived wearing flip flops and, like many weekend players, changed his footwear in the car park before warming up with the aid of a swing trainer.
The 49-year-old left-hander praised members of the emergency services on Twitter and joked that his clubs had acted as "a fire retardant".
Mickelson's problems evoked memories of the situation during the 2012 Ryder Cup at Medinah when Rory McIlroy misread his tee time for Sunday's singles matches and arrived with minutes to spare after being driven to the course by a state trooper.
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 began the final round on four under par, 17 shots behind leader Justin Thomas, who held a six-shot lead after firing a course record of 61 in the third round.
