Phil Mickelson is known as one of the most intelligent and creative players in golf history.
His intense obsession with looking for a slight edge in his game is part of what makes him a six-time major winner, and one of the very best to ever play the sport.
Phil Mickelson has also been embroiled in a few rules controversies during his career. At the 2018 US Open, Mickelson deliberately stopped his own putt from rolling further down the green, leading to calls for him to withdraw from the tournament after his moment of madness.
And on one occasion, a fellow PGA Tour player outright accused him of “cheating”. He walked back those comments after Mickelson’s outraged reaction.
The reason why Scott McCarron accused Phil Mickelson of ‘cheating’
For the 2010 season, the United States Golf Association implemented a rule change outlawing square grooves of a certain depth and volume. Clubs required V-shaped grooves with rounded edges to reduce spin and emphasize the importance of hitting fairways.
But the ever-crafty Mickelson, among others, found a loophole. In 1990, a legal settlement between Ping and the USGA took precedence over any subsequent rule changes they made. In short, clubs made by Ping before 1990 were still legal on the PGA Tour.
So Mickelson grabbed some Ping Eye2 wedges made before April 1 1990 and took to the course. That outraged three-time PGA Tour winner Scott McCarron, who said, “It’s cheating, and I’m appalled Phil has put it in play.”
Which four players do you choose?
Mickelson responded by saying McCarron should blame the USGA, not him. He said, “It’s a terrible rule. To change something that has this kind of loophole is nuts. 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.
“I don’t appreciate the governing bodies putting me or any other player in this position, calling into question our integrity over a rule that they made, a club that they approved. Don’t put the blame on a player. Put the blame on the governing body.”
Don’t hate the player, hate the game, said Mickelson, and ultimately, McCarron saw it that way too. He apologized to Mickelson and was in agreement that it was the USGA’s fault.
He later said, “I’m certainly sorry for it. I’d like to apologise to Phil Mickelson for what I said. We both realise we’re on the same page on this issue.”
How Phil Mickelson’s rule loophole was closed
Fortunately for all involved, there was a quick resolution to this ridiculous issue. Within a month, the Ping wedges were banned.
Ping opted to waive its rights at the end of March, a month after McCarron’s cheating accusation, for the “best interests of golf”.
Ping chairman and chief executive John Solheim explained: “The problem is solved on the PGA Tour and the integrity of the original agreements is unaffected.
What is your craziest golf prediction for the 2026 season?
Our three BOLD golf predictions for 2026!
“It levels the playing field on the PGA Tour and resolves a very unfortunate situation that we predicted would happen when the USGA first proposed the new groove rule more than two years ago.”
A resolution, but some shade thrown at the USGA along with it. It seems that the USGA wasn’t the most popular party in this conflict among both players and club manufacturers.
Fortunately for the credibility of golf, Mickelson had a poor start to the season, then won The Masters after the Ping wedges were banned. All is well that ends well!
Receive exclusive golf news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
