Keith Mitchell four-putts for bogey, still salutes the crowd, is a consummate professional

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After what happened to Keith Mitchell on the 18th green at PGA National on Friday, everyone would have understood if he helicopter-tossed his putt into the gigantic water hazard just right of the green. He went almost the complete opposite route with his reaction.

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Mitchell, who started his round at the par-5 10th, was one over through eight holes, having started with a birdie but giving that shot back, and another, with a double bogey at the par-3 15th, the first hole of “The Bear Trap.” After pars at 16 and 17, the former Cognizant Classic winner then had a prime opportunity to get both of those shots back, finding the par 5 green in two and leaving himself just 30 feet for a momentum-swinging eagle.

In a brutal turn of events, Mitchell proceeded to four-putt, rolling his eagle effort three feet past the hole and then playing some knock hockey. His birdie putt power-lipped off the left edge, leaving a four-footer for par back on the same line as his eagle putt. He pulled that one, hitting the left edge again. Woof. 

Below is the video of the entire sequence, which ends with Mitchell receiving some cheers from onlooking fans. In a hilarious twist, Mitchell raised his hand in the air to give the tour pro “thank you” salute. Sensational stuff:

The consummate professional. He worked hard for that six. 

The best part – Mitchell fought his way back to even quickly, making birdie at the par-4 first (his 10th) and then playing the remaining eight holes in two under. He stuck with it to the very end, posting a one-under 70 that has him at eight under for the tournament, good enough for T-5 on Friday afternoon. Hat tip to you, Mr. Mitchell. 

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This article was originally published on golfdigest.com