The PGA TOUR heads north for the Northern Trust Open this week, where Phil Mickelson tries to shrug off cheating allegations to try and win his third straight at the famed Riviera Country Club.
Mickelson, who played the now infamous PING Eye 2 wedges at the Farmers Insurance Open, comes into this week with a lot to prove. With Tiger Woods out, Mickelson has another chance to make a run at the top spot on the Official World Golf Rankings. Mickelson came into the 2010 PGA season on the wave of two season-ending wins. There seemed to be a lot of expectation last week that Phil would tee it up and dominate. But, that was not the case as the world’s number two wasn’t a factor.
Now, Mickelson is in a very comfortable position at a course that he likes. The competition will be tougher this week with Steve Stricker, Jim Furyk and Padraig Harrington joining the field. Also, players like Brandt Snedeker, Matt Kuchar and rookie Rickie Fowler are off to a solid start to the season. Other players to watch this week are Ernie Els, Vijay Singh and Anthony Kim, who makes his season debut this week.
The grooves rule instituted this season eliminated the spin-creating U-shaped grooves on clubs in favor of V-shaped grooves. Thanks to a court ruling in the early 1990′s, the pre-1990 PING Eye 2 clubs are exempt from the new grooves rule. Here is a statement from the PGA on the new rule.
Even though only a handful of players have used the PING clubs in the four events this season, the exemption has created quite a stir on TOUR. Most abide by the rule and ditched the U-grooves altogether. Many players are against the rule, taking the side of the manufacturers and the advancements in research and development. Players like Rory McIlroy say not to change the equipment but make the courses harder with thicker rough and firmer greens to fight the spin factors. The good thing about the ruling and subsequent controversey is that people are talking about golf in February. With Woods not in the picture, the PGA needs headlines. A grooves debate is not ideal but, it gets eyes back on the sport.
Mickelson looks to defend at Northern Trust Open
Mickelson, who played the now infamous PING Eye 2 wedges at the Farmers Insurance Open, comes into this week with a lot to prove. With Tiger Woods out, Mickelson has another chance to make a run at the top spot on the Official World Golf Rankings. Mickelson came into the 2010 PGA season on the wave of two season-ending wins. There seemed to be a lot of expectation last week that Phil would tee it up and dominate. But, that was not the case as the world’s number two wasn’t a factor.
Now, Mickelson is in a very comfortable position at a course that he likes. The competition will be tougher this week with Steve Stricker, Jim Furyk and Padraig Harrington joining the field. Also, players like Brandt Snedeker, Matt Kuchar and rookie Rickie Fowler are off to a solid start to the season. Other players to watch this week are Ernie Els, Vijay Singh and Anthony Kim, who makes his season debut this week.
The grooves rule instituted this season eliminated the spin-creating U-shaped grooves on clubs in favor of V-shaped grooves. Thanks to a court ruling in the early 1990′s, the pre-1990 PING Eye 2 clubs are exempt from the new grooves rule. Here is a statement from the PGA on the new rule.
Even though only a handful of players have used the PING clubs in the four events this season, the exemption has created quite a stir on TOUR. Most abide by the rule and ditched the U-grooves altogether. Many players are against the rule, taking the side of the manufacturers and the advancements in research and development. Players like Rory McIlroy say not to change the equipment but make the courses harder with thicker rough and firmer greens to fight the spin factors. The good thing about the ruling and subsequent controversey is that people are talking about golf in February. With Woods not in the picture, the PGA needs headlines. A grooves debate is not ideal but, it gets eyes back on the sport.