Harrington has his say on grooves controversy

PÁDRAIG HARRINGTON will ensure golf’s current controversy over grooves is maintained for at least another news cycle after confirming he his considering putting a pre-1990 Ping Eye 2 wedge in play at this week’s Northern Trust Open.

The three-time major winner makes his seasonal debut tomorrow at Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles, happy with his swing and not at all concerned about joining the ongoing debate surrounding the ethics of using a club that does not conform to the latest regulations regarding grooves but is nonetheless approved for play thanks to an early 1990s legal settlement.

Phil Mickelson ruffled feathers at Torrey Pines last week when he joined the growing throng converting to the pre-April 1, 1990 Ping wedges, with U or box grooves, rather than the new conforming standard of shallower, narrower grooves, as he made his first start of the year at the Farmers Insurance Open. The world number two drew the ire of fellow American Scott McCarron who, ignoring the fact the 20-year-old clubs are perfectly legitimate in the eyes of the US Golf Association and PGA Tour, said he was “appalled” by Mickelson’s decision.

European number one Lee Westwood also threw his tuppence-worth in by accusing Mickelson of “bending the rules” but Mickelson said that while the new rules and the loophole he was exploiting was ridiculous he would continue to use them as long as they remained approved.

Harrington appears to be taking a similar stance, telling reporters at Riviera last night: “As regards what I feel about whether it’s right or not … I think most of us were brought up that you’ve got to adhere strictly by the rules, and whatever those rules are in place, you’ve got to play by them.

“We’ve all played in our career where we’ve hit it on the cart path and got a drop, and that drop has been substantially to our advantage, and that’s the nature of the game.”

As long as the Ping wedge in question stays within the rules, then, Harrington will feel entitled to avail of it.

“I did some good testing (on Monday),” he Irishman said.

“Unfortunately the testing showed up exactly what you would expect, and there’s a significant difference. I think that significant difference depends on the players.’’