Phil Mickelson opened his Northern Trust Open with a 1-over 72 after keeping his promise not to play the controversial pre-1990 Ping Eye 2 wedge which caused a tempest in a tea cup with journeyman pro Scott McCarron.
Mickelson, completely within his rights to play the club according to Tim Finchem’s comments at yesterday’s presser, elected to leave the club out even though it was grandfathered in under PGA Tour Rules. “The PGA Tour supports the USGA’s notion of trying to pull the spin rate back,” said Finchem. of the 218 different players who participated in Tour events this year, only five played the club as of Wednesday’s press conference.
As we go to press, Dustin Johnson’s 7-under 64 leads by one over Andres Romero of Argentina and Kevin Stadler. Ricky barnes and Brandt Snedecker are two back.
