American golfer Scott McCarron has apologized to Phil Mickelson for using the word “cheating” when he disagreed with Mickelson and others who use the Ping Eye2 wedges that are only allowed because of a legal loophole.

PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem met with players at the Northern Trust Open late Tuesday afternoon in Los Angeles and, according to one player, said the tour was working with Ping to figure out a solution.

The player spoke on condition of anonymity because Finchem asked that he be the first to speak publicly to the media Wednesday morning.

The tour likely would not be able to invoke a local rule banning the wedge at Riviera this week.

McCarron caused a furor last week at Torrey Pines when he told The San Francisco Chronicle about Mickelson using Ping wedges with square grooves, “It's cheating, and I'm appalled Phil has put it in play.”

Mickelson said he had been “publicly slandered” and hinted at legal action.