USGA resolve Ping wedge row

Finchem: 'positive for the game'

Also see

• Opinion
• Rankings
• Golf on Sky
• Ryder Cup standings
• Bet on Golf

The US Golf Association has reached an agreement with Ping that will see the manufacturer's 20-year-old square-grooved wedges become prohibited later this month.

Controversy had erupted on the PGA Tour when some players chose to use the Ping i2 wedges despite the fact they no longer conformed under new regulations requiring clubs to feature "v" shaped grooves.

The old-style "boxed" grooves were outlawed in a bid to try and reduce the amount of spin players can impart on the ball.

However, a lawsuit in the early 1990s led to Ping wedges manufactured before 1990 being allowed to be put in play regardless of the new regulations and several tour players opted to use them - with Phil Mickelson the most high-profile.

But, after much debate, a solution to the rather uneasy situation has been found after Ping agreed to waive its right to the 1993 lawsuit. As a result the wedges will become prohibited from March 29.

Ping chairman and CEO John Solheim revealed the waiver agreed to by the firm will apply to the PGA Tour, the Champions Tour and the Nationwide developmental tour.

"As a result of a request from the USGA, PING will also apply the waiver to the US Open in June," Solheim said of the major championship that is a US Golf Association event, but is also recognised as an official event by the PGA and European tours.

"The PGA Tour will then adopt a Condition of the Competition that does not provide an exception for the pre-April 1990 Ping-Eye 2 irons."

PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem welcomed the news, stating: "John Solheim and Ping had a terrific opportunity to do something very positive and significant for the game of golf and we very much appreciate his willingness to take this action."