Phil Mickelson late for BMW Championship after lightning hits hotel

Detroit News staff and wires
Phil Mickelson

Medinah, Ill. – Phil Mickelson had a wild Sunday, and that was before he showed up for the BMW Championship.

Mickelson said on Twitter that lightning struck the hotel where he was staying, leading to an evacuation. One problem: He was staying on the top floor, his clubs were in his room and his tee time at Medinah was approaching.

LIVE SCORING: BMW CHAMPIONSHIP

Mickelson eventually got to the course in time to change shoes in the parking lot, but not after a tweet saying that his clubs served as a fire retardant. He headed to the range to warm up, pausing only to answer the phone when his wife called to check on him.

He told her at one point, “I tweeted it.”

Storms have caused the final round to be pushed back and players started from both tees.

Mickelson began the day tied for 47th after rounds of 70, 73 and 69.