Tiger Woods, where are you?

The PGA Tour season has started, but the best story to emerge so far is a flap about golfer Scott McCarron denying he called Phil Mickelson a cheater.

Mickelson is using a club that has different grooves than today’s USGA and PGA Tour standards. But the clubs were grandfathered in, making them legal to use even though you apparently can count on one hand the number of golfers who do.

Call it other things — unsportsmanlike or even unethical — just don’t call it cheating.

McCarron did, sort of.

He called Mickelson using the club cheating, but denied calling Mickelson a cheater.

“It’s cheating and I am appalled Phil has put it in play,” McCarron has said. “I never called Phil Mickelson a cheater.”

Huh?

So this is what the PGA Tour has been reduced to without Woods. Why do I get the feeling the PGA wanted this to happen to draw early interest to the sport, especially in the shadow of the Super Bowl and with Woods’ absence? The PGA can close this loophole with one swing at the rule book, but instead is keeping the controversy alive.

Here’s hoping Woods returns soon ... and using one of those grandfathered clubs.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2400, ext. 6991 or gbilling@DaytonDailyNews.com.