LOS ANGELES, Feb 3, 2010 (AFP) - Phil Mickelson is still steaming over new rules governing clubface grooves, but said Wednesday he wont use the old Ping-Eye 2 wedge when he defends his title at the Northern Trust Open this week.

Mickelson put himself at the center of a storm over the rule change when he carried the controversial club at the PGA Tour event at Torrey Pines last week.

The Ping-Eye 2 manufactured prior to April 1990 doesnt conform to the new groove requirements of the US Golf Association and the Royal and Ancient, but it is allowed for play in the United States because of the settlement of a lawsuit between Ping and the USGA in 1993.

Mickelsons use of the club last week was called "cheating" by fellow pro Scott McCarron - a comment McCarron retracted with apologies this week.

"I like and respect these players out here, and when my wife and I were at one of our low points, the players came together and did one of the nicest things that could have been done to show support and it meant tons for me," said Mickelson, who was bolstered by the support of his colleagues as his wife battled cancer last year.

"Out of respect for them, I do not want to have an advantage over them, whether it's perceived or actual.

"So this week I won't be playing that wedge," he said. "My point has been made, I won't play it."

Mickelson said he had accepted a personal apology from McCarron. "I'm ready to put that behind us," he said. "But I'm not ready put the issue behind us. This needs to be addressed."

To that end, Mickelson said, he'd be happy to see other players using the club, whose old-style grooves produce more spin out of the rough than the "V-grooves" mandated this season.

Not only does Mickelson object to the loophole allowing the old Ping clubs, but he also objects to the timing of the change and the way the rule has been implemented by the USGA.

"I hope that players continue to play the wedge," said Mickelson, who called the groove rule "ridiculous."

"I hope that the governing bodies get forced into changing their rule-making process. I hope there's more transparency among the governing bodies."

US PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem reiterated Wednesday that players were entitled to play the Ping-Eye 2. But he said the Tour was exploring ways to close the loophole.

Finchem said a prior legal settlement sets out a process by which the PGA Tour, via an independent committee, could formulate a rule that differed from that of the USGA.

The easiest solution, Finchem said, would be for Ping and the USGA to reach some sort of agreement.

John Solheim, chief executive of the manufacturer, said this week that he was "willing to discuss a workable solution to this matter that would benefit the game and respect the role innovation has played over the long history of golf."

Finchem said he believed Solheim was to meet with USGA officials "potentially in the next week."

"I hope that meeting occurs," Finchem said. "And I can only hope that progress is made in that regard."