Mickelson’s groovy fiasco shows PGA misses Woods

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By Greg Billing, Staff Writer Updated 1:39 AM Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Tiger Woods, where are you?

The PGA Tour season has started, but the best story to emerge so far is a flap about golfer Scott McCarron denying he called Phil Mickelson a cheater.

Mickelson is using a club that has different grooves than today’s USGA and PGA Tour standards. But the clubs were grandfathered in, making them legal to use even though you apparently can count on one hand the number of golfers who do.

Call it other things — unsportsmanlike or even unethical — just don’t call it cheating.

McCarron did, sort of.

He called Mickelson using the club cheating, but denied calling Mickelson a cheater.

“It’s cheating and I am appalled Phil has put it in play,” McCarron has said. “I never called Phil Mickelson a cheater.”

Huh?

So this is what the PGA Tour has been reduced to without Woods. Why do I get the feeling the PGA wanted this to happen to draw early interest to the sport, especially in the shadow of the Super Bowl and with Woods’ absence? The PGA can close this loophole with one swing at the rule book, but instead is keeping the controversy alive.

Here’s hoping Woods returns soon ... and using one of those grandfathered clubs.

Contact this reporter at  (937) 225-2400, ext. 6991 or  gbilling@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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I used my grandfathers clubs and they weren't worth a crap. Wood shafts and all.

flipper
4:28 PM, 2/2/2010

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Scoot McCarron is a flat out dumb ***! After he puts his foot in his mouth with a comment he shouldn't have made, he turns around and has time to think about what he said and then stands by it. If it were illegal to use the wedge, then the PGA would have disqualified Phil and the other 3 players who were using the same club from the tournament. Phil should buy him an old Ping Eye 2 wedge for Valentine's day.

Tiger Who?
1:41 PM, 2/2/2010

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Good point, Joe. ... Maybe I should use my mulligan on that on.

Greg Billing
12:20 PM, 2/2/2010

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Greg, Greg, Greg, what are we going to do with you. The club Lefty and some others are using are grandfathered in because of a lawsuit by Ping.There is no loophole, just players using LEGAL clubs according to the rules of golf, the whiners can use them too, but choose not to.

Joe
10:00 AM, 2/2/2010

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Again, HOW IS THIS CHEATING??????,the club is NOT banned by the PGA.The PGA or CBS is just doing this because Tiger is not playing,just sad, go Phil,you've done nothing wrong dude.BTY,f**k Tiger.!!!!

JB
3:46 AM, 2/2/2010

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