Irate McCarron accuses Mickelson of cheating
Source: Agencies |
January 31, 2010, Sunday
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Print Edition
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EMOTIONS ran high at the San Diego Open on Friday when Phil Mickelson was accused of cheating by fellow American Scott McCarron.
World No. 2 Mickelson was criticized by McCarron for exploiting a loophole in golf's new groove rules by using a 20-year-old Ping wedge.
McCarron, who missed the second-round cut at Torrey Pines on Friday, said Mickelson was "taking an unfair advantage of the rules". In an interview with Golf Channel, he added: "Golf is a gentleman's game and most of us out here on the PGA Tour don't think it's the right thing to do."
Although McCarron backed off on again using the word "cheat," he had told Friday's San Francisco Chronicle: "It's cheating and I'm appalled Phil has put it in play.
"All those guys should be ashamed of themselves for doing that. As one of our premier players, (Mickelson) should be one of the guys who steps up and says this is wrong."
As of January 1, new rules relating to club-face grooves were implemented at the top level after research found modern configurations could allow players to generate almost as much spin with irons from the rough as from the fairway. All clubs, with the exception of drivers and putters, have been affected by the change which limits groove volume and groove-edge sharpness, effectively replacing U-grooves with V-grooves.
Square grooves
McCarron took exception to the Ping-Eye 2 wedge used by Mickelson, a club with square grooves which is legal because of a lawsuit won by its manufacturer over the United States Golf Association in 1990.
Mickelson agreed with McCarron's overall stance but took exception at how his compatriot had made his point.
"I totally agree with him (McCarron)," Mickelson told reporters after shooting a five-under 67 in the second round. "I think it's a ridiculous rule.
"But it's not up to me or any other player to interpret what the interpretation of the rule is or the spirit of the rule. All my clubs are approved for play, and I take that very seriously not to violate any rule.
"I've been talking with Dick Rugge of the USGA and talking to the (PGA Tour) commissioner and explaining behind closed doors how ridiculous all this is. I don't agree with the way he (McCarron) carried on about it, but that's his choice."
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