GOLF ROUNDUP: Golfer accuses Mickelson of ‘cheating’
Published 11:25 pm Friday, January 29, 2010
SAN DIEGO — Already missing Tiger Woods because of a sex scandal, the PGA Tour headed into another mess Friday when a player accused Phil Mickelson of “cheating” for using wedges that are allowed under a legal technicality.
“It’s cheating, and I’m appalled Phil has put it in play,” Scott McCarron said in Friday’s edition of The San Francisco Chronicle.
Mickelson is among at least four players at Torrey Pines using a Ping-Eye 2 wedge that was made 20 years ago and has square grooves. Such grooves now are banned on the PGA Tour because of a new USGA regulation this year that irons have V-shaped grooves.
The square-groove Ping wedges remain legal, however, because of a lawsuit that Ping filed against the USGA that was settled in 1990. Under the settlement, any Ping-Eye 2 made before April 1, 1990, remains approved because it takes precedence over any rule change.
McCarron’s comments resonated across Torrey Pines because “cheating” is considered one of the dirtiest accusations in a sport that prides itself on honesty and players calling penalties on themselves.
Mickelson refused to be drawn into a debate with McCarron over his choice of words, but rather criticized the USGA for adopting such a rule change in the first place, especially knowing that this loophole might cause problems.
“It’s a terrible rule. To change something that has this kind of loophole is nuts,” Mickelson said. “But it’s not up to me or any other player to interpret what the rule is or the spirit of the rule. I understand black and white. And I think that myself or any other player is allowed to play those clubs because they’re approved — end of story.”
The PGA Tour said in a statement Friday evening that it was aware of the situation and would be monitoring it.
McCarron, a three-time winner who missed the cut Friday, said he was not singling out Mickelson for cheating, but rather every player who chose to use the old Ping wedges because he felt it violated the spirit of the new rule.
Points, Imada tied at Farmers Insurance Open
SAN DIEGO — D.A. Points saved his best golf for the tougher course Friday at Torrey Pines and wound up in a share of the lead with Ryuji Imada in the Farmers Insurance Open, after shooting a 68. Former Washington Husky Alex Prugh shot a 1-under 71 in Friday’s second round of the Farmers Insurance Open to tie for 15th.
Daly to quit for good?
SAN DIEGO — John Daly missed another cut and said Friday he was done with golf. Whether that meant for the rest of the West Coast Swing or the rest of his career would not be determined until the two-time major champion stopped going to PGA Tour events.
Daly shot a 71 at Torrey Pines and missed the cut by nine shots. Stopped in the parking lot by a crew from Golf Channel, which is filming his reality show, Daly said in a series of clipped responses, “I’m done. … I can’t compete. … Just can’t play like I used to.”
Early today, Daly thanked his fans in a two-part message on Facebook and claimed he wasn’t financially able to continue on the tour.
Rumford leads in Qatar
DOHA, Qatar — Australia’s Brett Rumford of Australia shot a 6-under 66 to take a one-stroke lead in the Qatar Masters.
Gates leads N. Zealand Open
QUEENSTOWN, New Zealand —Robert Gates shot a 4-under 68 today to take a three-stroke lead in the Nationwide Tour event.
