PHIL MICKELSON is taking advice on what course of action to follow in the wake of accusations of cheating. The world number two came in for criticism from fellow American Scott McCarron on Friday regarding his use of a pre-1990 Ping i2 wedge with square grooves to exploit a loophole in a new regulation allowing only V grooves.

The Ping wedges are allowed by the games rule makers, the United States Golf Association and Royal Ancient Golf Club, and approved by the PGA Tour for use in tournaments following a 1993 legal settlement with the club manufacturer that takes precedence over the governing bodies’ new regulations.

Despite playing approved clubs in his opening event of 2010 this week in San Diego, McCarron told the San Francisco Chronicle: “It’s cheating, and I’m appalled Phil has put it in play.”

Having responded to that statement on Friday by saying he disagreed with the new rule, but was within his rights to use the club in question, Mickelson was more outspoken following his third round at Torrey Pines.

“Well, we all have our opinions on the matter, but a line was crossed, and I just was publicly slandered, and because of that I’ll have to let other people handle that,” Mickelson said.

Asked whether that might lead to legal action, he added: “I’m not sure. I’m not sure. I think the (PGA) Tour will probably get on top of it.”

Without blaming the row, Mickelson said his driving had begun to suffer over the last couple of rounds and with three holes to play late last night he was seven strokes behind Ben Crane, who led the leaderboard by one shot after 14 holes in California.