PHIL MICKELSON

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Phil Mickelson won't be using the Ping Eye2 wedge that led a fellow player to accuse him of ''cheating,'' even though he hopes others will use the controversial club to keep attention on what he calls a ridiculous rule.

''I won't be playing that wedge. My point has been made,'' Mickelson said on Wednesday on the eve of his two-time title defense at Riviera. ''But if these governing bodies cannot get together to fix this loophole, if players stop using this wedge – which would stop the pressure of the issue – then I will relook at it and put the wedge back in play.''

The Ping wedge has grooves that no longer conform under a new U.S. Golf Association regulation, adopted by the U.S. PGA Tour.

However, any Ping wedge made before April 1, 1990, is approved for play under a legal settlement from two decades ago.

Mickelson is among five players who have used the Ping wedge in competition this year.

Several players believe using the club goes against the spirit of the new grooves regulation, although Scott McCarron fueled the debate when he said of Mickelson and others, ''It's cheating.''

Mickelson hinted at legal action after saying he was ''publicly slandered.''

He said McCarron offered him a sincere apology late Tuesday, which he accepted.

''We all make mistakes, and we all say things we wish we could take back,'' Mickelson said. ''I've done it a bunch in my career. And the fact that it's also not easy to come up and face that person, look them in the eye and apologize ... I appreciate him being a big enough man to do that.''

Instead, Mickelson vented his anger at the USGA and its lack of transparency in developing the new rules for grooves. He has complained that he's submitted wedges that fit the guidelines, only for the USGA to reject the club for violating the intent of the new rule.