Golf: Lee Westwood defends Mickelson over wedge 'cheating' allegation

World No.2 Mickelson, below, opened his PGA Tour campaign at the Farmers Insurance Open in San Diego this week with a Ping i2 wedge in his bag after exploiting a loophole in new equipment regulations governing grooves.

The club features U-shaped grooves banned by golf's lawmakers in favour of a more "V" shape, but a 1993 US lawsuit means Ping wedges manufactured before 1990 are technically exempt.

Mickelson is the most high-profile player to use the clubs and PGA Tour players' committee member and fellow professional Scott McCarron has branded the move "cheating".

"It's a very strong word to use, cheating," said Westwood, who has used Ping clubs for almost 23 years. "I think it's not breaking the rules, but it's bending them. It wouldn't be my choice to use them, but it's obviously not against the rules or else he wouldn't do it."

McCarron was quoted by the San Francisco Chronicle as saying: "It's cheating, and I'm appalled Phil has put it in play."

McCarron is a member of the PGA Tour players' committee and Mickelson has agreed that he was exploiting a loophole.

"I agree it's a terrible rule," Mickelson said following his second round at Torrey Pines. "To change something that has this kind of loophole is nuts. But it's not up to me or any other player to interpret what the rule is or the spirit of the rule. I understand black and white. And I think that myself or any other player is allowed to play with those clubs because they're approved. End of story."

Asked to respond directly to McCarron's accusations of cheating, Mickelson replied: "I think rather than answer that directly, I think what he's saying is the rule is a terrible rule, and I agree."

Mickelson would appear to have the PGA Tour commissioner on his side. "It is a bit of a loophole, but last year we looked carefully at this, and our experts did not view this distinction of any significance," Tim Finchem told journalists on January 19 when asked about the Ping i2.

Paul Casey underlined his return to form following last year's rib injury as the Ryder Cup ace carded a six-under-par 66 to claim a share of the lead at the Commercialbank Qatar Masters. He and Bradley Dredge lead the field by one shot heading into the final round.

Casey dropped just one shot in ideal conditions in Doha to join Dredge at 10 under par after the Welshman remained in the hunt with a 70. An eventful two-under second round from Westwood left him heading the chasing pack, with Robert Karlsson and overnight leader Brett Rumford two shots adrift.

Scotland's Marc Warren is six under, having shot six birdies in a round of 68.