Tiger vs. USGA?

I didn't think I'd be rushing to Tiger Woods's defense about something anytime soon, but at least this one's about golf.

On Saturday's television coverage of the U.S. Open, the executive director of the USGA, David B. Fay (not sure why they always have to add the "B" ... must be some "Caddyshack" entitlement/caste system angle to that), was asked about criticism of Pebble Beach Golf Links, especially the greens. Depending on where they put the flag, the par-5 14th is almost unplayable, but the real daggers were about the poa annua greens, which to the untrained eye (i.e. non-golfer) might look like some kind of disease.

Fay noted how two players on Thursday had used the word "awful" in regard to putting at Pebble Beach. From Fay: "World No. 2 said he putted awful; World No. 1 said the greens were awful." Clever how Fay didn't mention No. 2 (Phil Mickelson) or No. 1 (Woods) by name. But his point was clear ... you can criticize your own play, but not the golf course.

It's not the first time Tiger has taken issue with Pebble Beach and its poa annua greens. Many believe it's the reason why he hasn't played there for the wintertime AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am for eight years. But that's just part of it. The AT&T event is staged over three golf course on the Monterey Peninsula and has too much of a circus atmosphere for Tiger, who tends to want to control his environment as much as possible.

But his words Thursday were no doubt stinging to the people who run the U.S. Open; they also tend to want to control their environment as much as possible. The USGA takes seriously its role in the running of national golf championships, and welcomes debate like Iran President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. To Fay and the USGA, there's no such thing as constructive criticism.

Fay also said a player is entitled to his opinion, but not the facts. Well, buddy, these are the facts: This is a links (seaside) layout, and as such, it's more open to the elements than most golf courses. Mother Nature will do what she wants to the land, and all the agronomists and golf course superintendents in the world can do only so much to keep the course in shape.

Nobody said the course was unfair, because it's not. Pebble plays the same for everyone. I think Tiger's point was the putting surfaces were imperfect, and they are. I'm not a big fan of the phrase, but Fay and the USGA needs to "own it." He can say, "yes, we did all we can, but it is what it is."

I won't criticize Mickelson for his diplomacy, but I wouldn't begrude Tiger his opinion, either.