February 1 -- A quick show of hands: How many of you had ever heard of Scott McCarron before the 212th-ranked golfer in the world called Phil Mickelson a cheater?
How many of you still don’t know -- or care -- who the heck this journeyman golfer is?
Silence is golden. Well, no matter, because the 44-year-old who failed to make the cut at last week’s Farmers Insurance Open (another pop quiz -- who won last week's PGA Tour’s event at Torrey Pines Golf Course?), says he “will not be silenced” about the most critical issue facing golf and, indeed, the world today: Grooves.
Yup, because you can never have enough gripping discussion about whether the grooves of your irons are square, legal, conforming, or...O!M!G! Somebody please gag the 16-year PGA Tour veteran and suggest he get to the practice range and work on his game.
Seriously, this guy spent “two days of careful contemplation” before releasing a statement “in hopes of setting the record straight,” according to Golf Digest, which published the edict.
If it walks like a duck. First of all, Scott, you can spin it all you like, but, despite your protests that “I never called Phil Mickelson a cheater,” it’s difficult to interpret your quotes any other way.
“It’s cheating and I am appalled Phil has put it in play,” you admittedly told the San Francisco Chronicle. Perhaps you should consult former President Bill Clinton to help you parse exactly what “it’s” means.
Of course, had McCarron not caused the whole brouhaha about grooves and Mickelson’s use of legal but non-conforming Ping Eye 2 irons, what would there have been to talk about -- with Tiger Woods still in seclusion and Mickelson imploding on the first hole of the final round? So, thanks for that.
Is that your final answer? McCarron promised his declaration would be his “final comments on this matter.” Now that's confusing: Either you're done talking or you will not be silenced. Which is it?
With PGA Tour commish Tim Finchem slated to meet Tuesday with the Player Advisory Council (of which McCarron is a member) to discuss this very issue, it seems unlikely that the golf world has heard the last from McCarron. About grooves. Damn.
Oh, and so you won’t miss a pearl that drops from McCarron’s lips, stay tuned for his official “coming soon” Web site, complete with a future section about “motivational speaking.” You might want to bookmark that.
BTW -- The answer to number three was not Rickie Fowler, despite the golf punditry crowning him the next Tiger Woods. Extra credit if you knew it was Ben Crane.
Might McCarron’s statement have anything to do with Mickelson’s veiled threat of a lawsuit? Read about it at Mickelson hints at legal action after McCarron’s cheating charges and “public slandering.”
Comments
Of course I've heard of Scott McCarron.
My question is, how is putting the Ping Eye 2 back in play even allowed? It seems to exactly defy the purpose of the rule.
Hah. Some very good points Emily, and amusing as always. And Svetlana, I agree with you, how can it be legal to play a club that is "legal, but non-conforming"?
Scott McCarron who??? How long has it been since anyone has heard his name on tour. You wish you had game like Mickelson, but you never will. You know it and so do us golf fans..Go back where you came from. Out side the top 150 ranking.
You guys (especially Emily) are all wrong. McCarron is a multiple winner on the PGA tour and is so popular with other PGA members that he was elected to represent them on the Players Advisory Coucil. To categorize him as some unknown, bitter whiner is far from accurate. The truth is, the Ping wedges should not be allowed on the tour if you agree with the recent rule changes regarding grooves. However, they won a lawsuit in the 90's against the USGA which allows them to be grandfathered in. As a council member, it is McCarron's responsibility to have an opinion on the subject and someone with Mickelson's talent shouldn't use clubs that breach the rule, and if he chooses to do so, he should expect to be questioned.
Allow me to make an educated guess. Ms. Kay is both a N.E. liberal. Mr. McCarron is a Christian and Conservative. Perhaps that is the 'rub' of Ms. Kay's obvious hostility towards him. The writing literally 'drips' venom towards Mr. McCarron for merely speaking his mind, and I'm sure the thoughts of many other players.
There are the 'rules' of the game,...and then there is the 'spirit' of the game. I think it was not within the 'spirit' of the game for Phil Mickelson to 'skirt' the ruling. Had Phil won, and done so by making several 'precise' shots from the rough during his 4 rounds, I'm sure other players would have voiced similar opinions.
In addition, Ben Crane is so slow that I would refuse to play with him. I can see how he interrupts the rhythm of other players. He was lucky Michael Sim didn't go for the green in two and then made such a terrible chip on 18. It could have easily been a playoff.
McClaren, Sounds like he is a crybaby and as any liberal blames someone or something else for his shortcomings. When he has the solid charecter that Phil has and the knowledge of the game then let him spout off about a club that is perfectly legal and has been proven in a court of law. When did the PGA let this idiot start making sly remarks and slandering the most popular player on tour? Maybe a lawsuit would clear his feble mind and shut his
whiney mouth.
Mickelson is being paid big bucks by Calloway golf to play their clubs. In his selfish way Ping is getting all the PR. Mickelson is a fraud.
Folks, The "rule" is ...the clubs are allowed to be played, period. It doesn't matter reason. They are allowed. Is it a bad rule? absolutely! But to label Mickelson using the clubs as "skirting" the rules, or a "breach" of the rules, is ridiculous.
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