Notes: Vijay, Lefty Feud; Jack at Masters?

Vijay Singh didn't like the length of Phil Mickelson's spikes at the Masters. And after playing with him the first two rounds of the FBR Open, he had questions about Lefty's driver.
 
Not only did Mickelson beat him by two shots each day, he routinely hit his tee shots beyond Singh. On average, he was 6.1 yards longer than Singh in the first round, and 15.4 yards longer than Singh on Friday.
 
When Mickelson showed up Saturday morning, the PGA Tour asked to test his Callaway FT3 driver to make sure it was under the limit for springlike effect. The driver passed the test.
 
A person involved with the tour said Singh asked for the driver to be tested. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the test is supposed to be confidential.
 
At least Singh was playing with Mickelson.
 
A year ago, Tom Pernice asked for Tiger Woods' driver to be tested after watching on TV as Woods routinely blasted it by Mickelson in the final round of the Ford Championship at Doral.
 
MASTER JACK
Jack Nicklaus received his annual invitation to play in the Masters early last month, a tradition that for him began in 1959. But this was the earliest he said no.
 
"I received a letter of invitation in early January and have already declined," Nicklaus said.
 
Nicklaus ended his incomparable run in the majors at the British Open last year, and the only reason for him to take his clubs to Augusta National this year is for the Par 3 Tournament.
 
There was speculation last week about Nicklaus' plans, considering this is the 20-year anniversary of winning his sixth green jacket at age 46. He was quoted at the Champions Skins Game as saying he hasn't made up his mind what he was going to do at the Masters and "I hope I'm smart enough not to take my golf clubs."
 
Nicklaus, however, is only going to Augusta National for the Champions Dinner on Tuesday and the Golf Writers Association of America dinner Wednesday. He will not be part of the competition.
 
WESTERN FLAIR
In announcing a revamped schedule for 2007, the PGA Tour originally referred to events after the FedEx Cup as the "Quest for the Card," later changing it to the "Fall Series."
 
Perhaps another slogan it should consider is "Go West, Young Man."
 
Officials are closing in on deals that would bring two PGA Tour events to California in the fall of 2007. One tournament would be in Fresno at Running Horse Golf Club, which is being designed by Jack Nicklaus II and is scheduled to open this fall.
 
What makes it unique is that the charitable partner will be U.S. veterans. Running Horse spokesman Tim Ummel said a California Veterans Home is being built adjacent to the gated community, with U.S. and San Joaquin Valley veterans benefiting from the tournament.
 
"We'll honor a veteran every year, and we would like to tie this in to players with fathers or grandfathers who were veterans," Ummel said.
 
Jack Nicklaus is helping his son with the course, and the Nicklaus clan was on site two weeks ago as plans for a PGA Tour event were coming together.