Phil Mickelson retrieves his ball from a fan's shorts during the Norther Trust Open
Phil Mickelson retrieves his ball from a fan's shorts during the Northern Trust Open Reuters

Phil Mickelson may have lost the Northern Trust Open in a playoff, but he will always have the memory of retrieving a tee shot from a fan's shorts.

Mickelson, who lost on the second extra hole to Bill Haas at the Riviera Country Club, struck his third-round tee shot at the 15th hole into the gallery, before it bounced up and nestled in the pant leg of a spectator.

With the man lying on his back to preserve the ball's place, Mickelson retrieved the errant ball before presenting the exuberant fan with a signed glove to accompany a story he is sure to tell for the rest of his life. There was good news for Mickelson too as, despite his awkward position, the 41-year-old left-hander was still able to rescue a par on the hole.