Quick hits

- Golf: so, there was the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines this past weekend. Ben Crane, most known for slow play and maybe but probably not saying something derogatory about Tiger, was the big winner. The favorite subject of writers and other media during the week, though, had to do with Phil and his non-conforming, old, Ping Eye2 wedge. Of course, some other players came out and said it was against the rules, and notably, Scott McCarron apparently called Phil a cheater.

Look, here's my take. First of all, McCarron is one of many golfers who use a long putter. There are many in the game that would say that is against the "spirit" of the game. Is he really in the best position to be criticizing others? Then, there's this thought: Essentially what the critics are saying is that even though by the letter of the law, the use of the old wedge is legal, players shouldn't use it because it just isn't right, or is against the spirit of the game. That may or may not be true, but then, when have the rules of golf had any room for a "spirit of the game" argument?

There are many examples of golfers dq'd for signing an incorrect scorecard, or penalized strokes when their ball just happens to move. Did the player gain an unfair advantage in these instances? Of course not, but by the black and white letter of the law they were penalized. It seems to me that in the case with the Ping wedges, by the strict interpretation of the rules, they are legal. And golf has always used a strict interpretation of the rules. I'd say that by the "spirit of the game," it shouldn't matter that Michelle Wei or Sergio Garcia signed an incorrect scorecard. It was an honest mistake and they didn't gain an advantage by it. So, I say let them keep using the old wedges, until the rule, (or, loophole) is actually changed. Until then, any criticism is unfair.