Let's just use Phil's entire quote shall we? He said:I'm going to hang on the "...exceptionally awesome..." part of that quote."I don't think I've ever had an experience like that, so thank you for that. Slightly unnerving but exceptionally awesome," Mickelson said of the fan support at Kiawah Island. "All the way back to the 1991 Ryder Cup, you've always supported the game of golf. So thank you for that."
Yes the R&A has a bit more experience with managing the crowd once they are allowed out to follow the final group in. But they are dealing with predominantly British citizens who just might be a bit more of the rule following bent than Americans. Also they have not managed such a crowd at the end of a multi-months long global pandemic in at least 100 years so we'll see how they do in July if they are allowing sizable galleries.
People are pent up and yearning for joyful experiences and opportunities for expression after this long slog through the darkness. And they were witnessing history being made. It is certainly regrettable that Brooks took a ding or two to the knee but I'm willing to bet he'll be fine. No doubt the PGA Tour will debrief and have a better plan for crowd management for the next go around.