Long putter ban ‘unfair’ – Mickelson

Published on 08/11/2012 00:00

Phil Mickelson had said that banning long putters would be “grossly unfair”.

An announcement is expected soon from golf’s ruling bodies – the R&A and United States Golf Association – after growing concerns about the increasing use of belly and broomhandle putters.

“I understand both sides. It’s just that I don’t think you can take away what you’ve allowed players to use, practise and play with for 30 years,” Mickelson said on the eve of the Barclays Singapore Open. “I think it is grossly unfair.

“I also understand that it’s a better way to putt and all young players should start to putt that way as they get older. It’s a more efficient way to putt.

“I am concerned about some amateur players that use it and I don’t want to deter people from the game of golf.”

Meanwhile, world No 1 Rory McIlroy, who is also in the Singapore field, has defended his decision to skip last week’s HSBC Champions event in China.

McIlroy, who instead chose to fly to Bulgaria to watch his girlfriend, Carolina Wozniacki, play tennis, said: “I need those 
weeks where I can just 
completely escape from this, from my life.”