As has been noted many times, Phil Mickelson is not shy about calling out people, places or things he takes umbrage with on or off the golf course. His opinionated nature was on full display again this week when the R&A and USGA announced the introduction of a Model Local Rule that would limit the length of a driver to 46 inches.
The response was expected given that Mickelson tweeted in August his frustration that the governing bodies were discussing this in the first place. So when it became official, everyone was just waiting for Lefty’s response. Suffice it to say, we’ll give him some credit for creativity with the Forrest Gump imagery.
Mickelson wasn’t the only tour pro who went on the record saying he wasn’t fully onboard with the R&A/USGA move. Justin Thomas questioned the need for it, suggesting that there is another equipment issue facing the pro grame that is more pressing – armlock putting.
Overnight, our time, Mickelson was back on social media to voice his displeasure on the subject once more, albeit with a new, fresh target: the PGA Tour. Amid yesterday’s news of the R&A/USGA decision, officials from the tour released a statement saying that they would implement the local rule in PGA Tour events starting January 1, 2022.
Again, Lefty was not pleased to hear the PGA Tour’s stance. And it would appear he was even more upset with the way the tour made it known to players.
Again, this is a consistent pattern for Mickelson. He’s never been afraid to point fingers at authority (see the 2014 Ryder Cup Sunday press conference). We’re guessing Mickelson just wants to make sure he doesn’t forget to call anybody out.
PHOTO: Patrick Smith
