Slow Play II Deja blue

• By Randall Mell
• Aug 13, 2009 9:08 PM ET

CHASKA, Minn. – Shaun Micheel has a full appreciation for what Padraig Harrington endured in the slow-play controversy at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational on Sunday.

Micheel was even par when he reached the 16th tee Thursday at the PGA Championship.

See if this sounds familiar.

After being put on the clock by a rules official there, Micheel said he got out of rhythm rushing himself. He nearly hit his drive right into Lake Hazeltine. After finding his ball near the hazard, he rushed his second shot, ricocheting it off trees into deep rough. He then rushed his third, blocking it into Lake Hazeltine on his way to a triple-bogey 7.

“I kind of had to hurry to hit all my shots,” Micheel said. “I got a little flustered.”

Harrington’s triple bogey at the 16th at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational Sunday came after rules official John Paramor put Harrington and Tiger Woods on the clock. When Micheel won the PGA Championship at Oak Hill in 2003, he was in the last group with Chad Campbell in the final round when they were put on the clock on the eighth hole.

Guess who put them on the clock? Paramor.

“Kind of ironic,” Micheel said.

Micheel said he believes there ought to be more leeway over slow play in majors, especially with the final group.

“You blow tournaments by rushing,” Micheel said. “Those are things you have to deal with, and it’s unfortunate they can affect the way you play.”