Phil Mickelson rips into USGA boss over Talor Gooch call: "Just a d**k move!"
LIV Golf's Phil Mickelson has labelled Mike Whan's decision to remove Talor Gooch from the US Open as a "d**k move".
LIV Golf's Phil Mickelson has labelled USGA CEO Mike Whan's decision to remove Talor Gooch from next month's US Open as a "d**k move" on Twitter.
Last week, Gooch claimed the USGA "retroactively" changed its qualifications for the US Open, and as a result, made him no longer exempt into the tournament.
But the USGA denies such claims.
Gooch, who has won the last two LIV Golf League tournaments, went on the 73rd Hole Podcast last month.
Related: LIV Golf's Taylor Gooch OUT of US Open with rule change: "It only affects me!"
Gooch said:
However, the USGA did not follow the same guidelines as The Masters, and, as a result, Gooch did not earn an automatic exemption into the year's third major championship.
Gooch added:
Whan has since defended the USGA's stance in removing Gooch from the field.
Mickelson is disgusted by the USGA's decision, and he took to Twitter today to vent his frustration at Whan.
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.
— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) May 5, 2023
Mickelson tweeted:
Lefty then went in again:
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. Sad
— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) May 5, 2023
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.— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) May 5, 2023
Where do you stand on Gooch not being eligible for the US Open? You could argue the American is the hottest player in the world right now following back-to-back wins on the LIV Golf League. Share your thoughts and comments over on the GolfMagic social media channels.
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