US Masters: Mickelson's Spikes Needle Singh

Not that the personal emnities between the world's top golfers needed any further stirring, but the rivalry between Vijay Singh and Phil Mickelson was given a significant edge yesterday after the pair argued over the small matter of scuff marks on Augusta's pristine greens.

The two players, ranked No1 and No3 in the world respectively, were reported to have rowed in Augusta's champions' locker room after the suspension of play because the Fijian, who had been playing in the group behind Mickelson, had registered a complaint to tournament officials about spike marks on the 12th green.

The American was then approached by the referee on the 13th fairway and, when informed of the complaint, said he would change his shoes - an offer declined after a quick inspection revealed them to be perfectly within the rules.

"There was some spike mark that apparently tore up some grass and it was Phil that was blamed," Will Nicholson, chairman of the Masters rules committee, said. "Phil very generously offered to change them when he got in, if there was a problem. There wasn't. If there was, those spike marks were created by a person or persons unknown."

That, however, was not the end of the affair. Once they returned to the locker room, Mickelson and Singh had what diplomats might describe as a "frank exchange of views".

As it happens the two men may well be paired in today's scheduled third round. Singh, who won the 2000 Masters, was four under par when play ended, two ahead of the defending champion Mickelson.

This is the second time in the past few weeks that members of the so-called "fab four" have been involved in rules-related incidents. At the Bay Hill Invitational in Florida last month American tour officials tested Tiger Woods's driver after receiving a complaint from another professional that the club might be illegal.

Similarly, an inspection revealed there had been no breach of the rules. Woods said he was unconcerned about being the subject of such an inquiry, though eyebrows were raised when it emerged that the complainant was Tom Pernice, who happens to be a close friend of Vijay Singh.