Mickelson defends himself against cheating allegation

FROM THE AOL GOLF NEWS SERVICE
Phil Mickelson has defended his use of a 20-year-old wedge in the wake of accusations by fellow professional Scott McCarron he is cheating by using it.
World number two Mickelson has opened his PGA Tour campaign for 2010 with a Ping i2 wedge in his bag at the Farmers Insurance Open in San Diego, exploiting a loophole in equipment regulations introduced on January 1 by golf's rulemakers, the United States Golf Association and Royal & Ancient.Golf Club.
While the club features the grooves banned by the US, a lawsuit in the early 1990s led to Ping wedges manufactured before 1990 being allowed to be put in play and several tour players have opted to use them, Mickelson the most high-profile.
"It's cheating, and I'm appalled Phil has put it in play," McCarron was quoted as saying by the San Francisco Chronicle.
McCarron is a member of the US PGA Tour Players' Committee and Mickelson last night agreed in principle that he was exploiting a loophole.
"I agree that it's a terrible rule," Mickelson said following his second round at Torrey Pines.
"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 with those clubs because they're approved. End of story."
Asked to respond directly to McCarron's accusations of cheating, Mickelson replied: "I think rather than answer that directly, I think what he's saying is the rule is a terrible rule, and I agree.
"I'm just as upset. The difference is I've been talking with Dick Rugge of the USGA and talking to (US PGA Tour) commissioner (Tim Finchem) and explaining this 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."