THERE was a time when debate was conducted face to face. You know, between people with mouths and jabbing fingers and bare fists that would become increasingly clenched with opinionated, quaking fury.

These days, of course, you can just safely sit in your semmit and baffies, tether yourself to the computer and argue away with him, her and everyone about this, that and the other until your heart’s content without the worry of suffering some kind of cranial trauma caused by a flying bar stool.

Twitter, Facebook, blogs, online forums? They’re all the raging rage in these tappety-tap technological times, unless, of course, you’re from a more slower-paced era when the creation of the nibbie was hailed as a significant stride forward in innovation.

Amid the tsunami of “I think this” or “I think you’ll find that”, most folk seemed to be united in agreement about one thing over the weekend: that Phil Mickelson and the USGA should be charged with high treason. Or something like that.

Mickelson’s well-documented antics during the third round of the US Open, where he deliberately hit a moving ball on the 13th green to prevent it trundling goodness knows where, brought widespread condemnation but no disqualification.

He should’ve been but the USGA officials effectively buried their heads in the technical mumbo jumbo of the rule book even though Mickelson brazenly admitted to the breach.

Rather like failing to punish marquee names for slow play, this was another example of lily-livered officialdom. Mickelson’s crass celebration at holing a putt on the same green on Sunday was another Harvey Smith salute to the spirit of the game.

Mickelson, whose unedifying humiliation of Tom Watson in the excruciating aftermath of the 2014 Ryder Cup highlighted the selfish, calculating side to his goofy, high-fiving Mr Popular image, played the smart guy at the weekend.

The USGA always try to be smart too with their obsession with protecting par and, once again, it came home to roost as they were forced into a whimpering retreat after essentially losing control of Shinnecock Hills with another questionable judgement.

After such fierce criticism about day three pin positions and greens that were akin to putting on the back of a soup spoon, they underlined their doddering indecision by relenting for the final day.

Mickelson’s 69 in round four was 12 shots better than his third round 81. The brilliant Tommy Fleetwood went from a 78 to a 63 while Rickie Fowler’s closing 65 was 19 strokes better than his Saturday calamity. Some like to see the top players struggle in a war of grim, golfing attrition. Others prefer the spectacle of the all-out birdie offensive. The USGA, though, don’t seem to know what they want their US Open to be.

Whatever it was, it didn’t affect Brooks Koepka who claimed back-to-back wins in the event with a composed display of skill and mental resolve. As ever with a Koepka conquest, the Scottish golf writers like to cling to his victory in the Scottish Hydro Challenge in Aviemore five years ago. That same tournament takes place this week and after his second major triumph, they will probably unveil a bronze Brooks bust outside the Winking Owl pub.

A year ago at a forgiving Erin Hills, Koepka romped to a 16-under US Open win. This time, over a very different battleground, the 28-year-old showed again that he possesses far more weapons in his armoury than strength and prodigious length.

Those skills were forged in Europe, with the varied golfing terrains he encountered on both the Challenge Tour and the European Tour, helping to mould a golfer of real substance. At Shinnecock Hills, he kept his head while plenty were losing theirs amid grumblings about the unfairness of it all.

They had a point but Koepka made his point. His two-over 72 on that brutal Saturday, for instance, had all the gritty, jaw-jutting determination of a John Wayne box set.

Come Sunday, the unassuming Koepka demonstrated great grace under pressure. Which is more than can be said of Mickelson.

AND ANOTHER THING

IT was a case of lucky 13 for Russell Knox at the weekend. Amid the hoopla of the US Open and its various storylines, the fact the Scot finished in a spirited share of 12th place was almost swept under the carpet.

In his 13th major appearance this was by far his best result in any of the four grand slam events. Having slipped out of the top 100 of the world rankings with an indifferent run of form, let’s hope his Shinnecock showing can kick-start his season and get the talented Knox back up where he belongs.