OWINGS MILLS (Md. Phil Mickelson has never been shy to voice his opinions, especially when it comes the USGA, the golf's governing body. He took to Twitter to rip the USGA based on speculations that it will limit drivers' length to 46 inches.
Mickelson wrote, "Word is USGA will soon roll back driver length to 46 inch." This is a PATHETIC. It promotes a shorter, more violent swing, which is dangerously injurious prone. The arc length to create speed doesn't allow for it. During our first golf boom in 40 year, our amateur government body continues to try to make it less enjoyable.
The USGA will soon reduce driver length to 46 inches. This is PATHETIC.1st, it encourages a shorter, more violent swing (injury-prone), doesn't allow for arc length to create speed and during our 1st boom in golf in 40 years, our amateur gov body keeps trying making it less fun Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson). August 27, 2021
Mickelson uses a 47 inch driver and has enjoyed using Twitter for the past few years to make jokes, tweak other players and promote partnerships. He also enjoys speaking directly to his fans in an unfiltered, candid manner. Mickelson has admitted that he uses Twitter to amuse and combat boredom. On Friday, however, he decided to take aim at the USGA. He called the organization "amateurs" as well as declaring that logic is not their strength.
The USGA stated that it would not issue a statement to Mickelson's tweets.
Mickelson, 51 years old, won the PGA Championship at Kiawah Island in May. It was the sixth major of Mickelson's Hall of Fame career.
His relationship with the USGA was one of the most memorable aspects of his professional career. Six times he finished second in the U.S. Open, the most recent in 2013. He also criticized the USGA numerous times throughout his career, including at Merion 2013 when he sought out Mike Davis to criticize the layout of the third hole.
Mickelson was also caught in the middle a storm at the 2018 U.S. Open Shinnecock, when he kicked a moving ball off the 13th fairway. He was disqualified by the USGA, but he was ultimately given a 2-stroke penalty.
