Phil Mickelson has said, according to the LA Times, he is voluntarily taking his Ping Eye 2 wedge out of his bag even though it is still legal.

But what really got me excited was the comment; not by Phil because he’s found one, “Most players don't have the ability to find a Ping Eye 2 (one made before April 1990).”

So if you’re like me and still got one, maybe it’s worth a punt on eBay. If you can bear the thought of parting with something that’s over 20 years old.

 Wow! Decided I’d go have a look on eBay and there’s one (of a few) with 7 bids and the latest bid is $US112.50. Now that’s kinda tempting.

Phil said, “This week I won't be playing the wedge…My point has been made. I won't play it. But if these governing bodies cannot get together to fix this loophole, if players stop using this wedge, which would stop the pressing of the issue, then I will re-look at it and put the wedge back in play. I hope that the governing bodies get forced into changing their rule-making process."

Phil’s currently in LA preparing for the Northern Trust Open at the Riviera Country Club which is often called “Hogan’s Alley”.

Yes there’s two locations with the same name. The famous 6th hole at Carnoustie, which is now officially (since 2003) called “Hogan’s Alley” and the course at Riviera CC.

How did the course gets this nickname? Because it is where the great man won the LA Open in 1942 and then followed it up with wins in ’47 and ’48, plus the 1948 US Open.

Thought for the day brought on by Tom Watson’s remark following a request for his thoughts on the groove issue.

Old Tom holding up a ball said, “This is what needs looking at.”

Apparently he’s hitting it further than the Young Tom of 1970s.

Wish I could say the same thing. But maybe I’m playing the wrong kind of ball. But it’s hard to give up the feathery I’ve been using since I was a kid in Scotland. Only joking, I’m really not that old, it’s just that sometimes my body feels like it’s been around for that length of time.

Guid gowfin’ at the weekend

Slainte

Stan