Miller’s TV Candor Tees Off Players

As a storm front moved in off the Pacific Ocean for Thursday’s opening round of the $1 million Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, Johnny Miller promised to make some waves of his own as a rookie television commentator.

Miller will compete in this week’s tournament, which he won in 1974 and 1987. Injuries and a lack of motivation have reduced his competitive schedule to a minimum, but Miller, 42, will remain in the public eye as an analyst on NBC telecasts.

Golf on television tends to be notoriously bland, but Miller’s candor has long been appreciated by the print media. Miller replaces Lee Trevino, who will devote the bulk of his time and energies to the Senior PGA Tour.

“It’s an interesting challenge, being up in the booth, talking more candidly than others would,” Miller said. “I’m sure there will be a boomerang effect.”

There already has been. In his debut at last month’s Bob Hope Classic, Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka lost his temper after a bad shot. In a throwaway line, Miller said: “It sort of looks like Curtis Strange after a three-putt.”

Strange took offense to that remark, noting his displeasure in a letter to PGA commissioner Deane Beman.

If Miller gets that sort of criticism for a relatively harmless remark, he may find it difficult to be candid in the insular, ultra-sensitive world of professional golf.

Nonetheless, Miller said he will address such taboo subjects as how well certain players handle the heat of competition.

“The issue of how people perform under pressure is a very real issue,” Miller said. “The choke factor is almost never mentioned on the air. Over 25 years, I’ll bet you can count the times it’s been used on one hand.”

At the Bob Hope Classic, Peter Jacobsen faced a difficult three-iron shot over water to win the tournament on the 72nd and final hole. Miller, who acknowledges that he has a lot to learn about his new job, commented that Jacobsen’s shot would be an easy one to choke on.

Jacobsen executed the shot flawlessly, and Jack Nicklaus approached Miller on the practice tee Wednesday at Pebble Beach and offered a piece of constructive criticism.

“Jack said, ‘You should have said it’s a great opportunity (for Jacobsen) to look something in the eye and pull it off,’ ” Miller said. “Jack’s point is well taken.”

Said Nicklaus: “Johnny’s never been a controversial person. He’s a fairly even-tempered guy. Johnny’s candid, and I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that.”

Miller should have no trouble avoiding controversy this week, since CBS will televise the tournament.