Over the past fortnight, a lot has been made of the USGA changing their qualifying criteria for the US Open, which means that LIV golfer Talor Gooch, is currently not in the field for the third Major championship of the season.
Although USGA CEO, Mike Whan, defended the decision, stating: “Any time we make changes to our criteria going forward, it impacts somebody and that stinks, but we can only look forward,” Phil Mickelson, who has featured in every LIV event, has unleashed a tirade on Twitter, with Lefty not happy with the way Gooch will miss out on a potential spot at the US Open.
In response to a graphic posted on Twitter containing that quote, Mickelson wrote: “Hey Mike, what about changing a rule and making it retroactive to exclude someone who has already qualified? How can Talor Gooch not take that personal? It’s a direct attack on him and his career. How does it benefit the usga or US open? It doesn’t. Just a d!*k move.”
Hey Mike,what about changing a rule and making it retroactive to exclude someone who has already qualified? How can Talor Gooch not take that personal? It’s a direct attack on him and his career. How does it benefit the usga or US open? It doesn’t. Just a d!*k move.May 5, 2023
Mickelson was far from finished there, though, and soon doubled down on his opinion of the change – and Whan. He wrote: “He qualified 9 months ago via Tour championship. 3 months ago Whan changed the wording on the qualifying criteria to take it away. Total d!*k move by Whan. He leads our governing body. Sad.”
Yep. He qualified 9 months ago via Tour championship. 3 months ago Whan changed the wording on the qualifying criteria to take it away. Total d!*k move by Whan. He leads our governing body. SadMay 5, 2023
As the debate rolled on, one account tweeted: “You left something out, cowboy. He was suspended because he played in LIV events without a release. Niemann played in the Tour Championship and then left for the LIV tour, and is eligible for the US Open. Gooch wants to leave when he wants and play where he wants. Selfish child.”
Once again, though, Mickelson was quick to defend Gooch and criticise Whan. He responded: “Hey cowboy, The USGA is not the pga tour. His pga tour suspension has nothing to do with the USGA. The rule clearly stated he qualified via tour championship. He did not have to play. Whan changed the rule 6 months after the fact to exclude him. Like I said, a d!*k move.”
Hey cowboy,The USGA is not…
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