Phil Mickelson Questions PGA Tour's Shorts Policy

During the Farmers Insurance Open broadcast, Lefty tweeted his dismay at Sam Ryder's apparel choice

Mickelson strikes his iron shot and watches on
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Despite not being as present on social media as he was 18 months ago, Phil Mickelson still occasionally pops up to give his thoughts on matters within golf or to communicate with his fans and fellow players.

On Saturday, during the final round of the Farmers Insurance Open, Lefty posted his first tweet in over a month but, instead of it being about LIV Golf, it was instead about the outfit choice of tournament leader, Sam Ryder, specifically his joggers and socks...

A tweet from Phil Mickelson

(Image credit: Twitter: @PhilMickelson)

Ryder, who at the time of writing is holding off the likes of Jon Rahm, Max Homa and Hideki Matsuyama, is currently donning a pair of maroon/purple joggers which cut off at the ankle, with the American also wearing some black ankle socks.

In all honesty, it shouldn't be a huge bug, especially with golf changing its image and allowing hoodies on the golf course for example. However, Mickelson didn't seem pleased by the fashion choice, with the six-time Major winner tweeting his views on his social media channel.

In the tweet, Mickelson stated: "The Tour doesn’t allow shorts but does allow this week's leader to wear joggers with ankle socks? Showing 4 inches of ankle? I’m no fashion guy, never will be, but there are some things I won’t ever understand."

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It's not as if joggers are new to the professional circuit. Players like Justin Thomas and Erik van Rooyen have been regularly seen wearing them in tournament play, with there being plenty of brands producing them for the club golfer.

After moving to LIV Golf back in June, the Saudi-backed series has allowed players to wear shorts in their tournaments, something which is still prohibited on the PGA Tour. What's more, at The 150th Open Championship, CBS reporter, Kyle Porter, pointed out that it appeared Mickelson was wearing a t-shirt at St Andrews, something which is against the dress code of tournament play.

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Matt Cradock
Staff Writer

Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover weekend news and social media, as well as help look after Golf Monthly’s many buyers’ guides and equipment reviews.


Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round came in 2016, where he shot a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine holes. He currently plays at Witney Lakes in Oxfordshire and his favourite player is Rory McIlroy, despite nearly being struck by his second shot at the 17th during the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.


Matt’s current What’s In The Bag?

Driver: Honma TW747, 8.75°

Fairway Wood: TaylorMade Rocketballz Stage 2, 15°, 19°

Hybrid: Adams Super Hybrid, 22°

Irons: Mizuno MP54, 5-PW

Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°

Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero

Ball: Titleist Pro V1x