Phil rips USGA, R&A over driver length rule: 'Stupid is as stupid does'

Phil Mickelson referenced "Forrest Gump" while criticizing the USGA and R&A for a new policy limiting driver length.

The governing bodies instituted a rule Monday allowing professional tours or tournament organizing committees to limit the length of drivers to 46 inches beginning Jan. 1.

Mickelson, who uses a 47.5-inch driver, previously called the rule "pathetic" upon hearing it was close to being enacted. The 51-year-old believes drivers of reduced length would encourage shorter and more violent swings.

He also referred to the USGA and R&A as "amateurs" while expressing frustration over its Distance Insights Project in February.

The new edict is a model local rule, which gives entities the power to apply it to specific events. The USGA oversees the U.S. Open, while the R&A runs The Open Championship.