Why Phil Mickelson’s gripe with the latest rules change is flawed

Phil Mickelson of the United States during the first round of the PGA TOUR Champions Constellation FURYK & FRIENDS

Phil Mickelson fired shots at both the USGA and PGA Tour this week.

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Without expert administration at the hands of the USGA there wouldn’t be a competitive game at all.
Michael Bamberger

Michael Bamberger

Michael Bamberger writes for GOLF Magazine and GOLF.com. Before that, he spent nearly 23 years as senior writer for Sports Illustrated. After college, he worked as a newspaper reporter, first for the (Martha’s) Vineyard Gazette, later for The Philadelphia Inquirer. He has written a variety of books about golf and other subjects, the most recent of which is The Second Life of Tiger Woods. His magazine work has been featured in multiple editions of The Best American Sports Writing. He holds a U.S. patent on The E-Club, a utility golf club. In 2016, he was given the Donald Ross Award by the American Society of Golf Course Architects, the organization’s highest honor.