Response to Story Is Faster Than Swoosh

Bob Wood, who runs Nike Golf, read a magazine story in which Phil Mickelson referred to Tiger Woods’ equipment as “inferior.” As you might expect, Wood did a slow burn.

“The ultimate evaluation is how many tournaments you win,” Wood said. “You really have to question the wisdom of this guy calling out Tiger Woods. Taking potshots at Tiger is totally unwise. Tiger is the type of guy who lets his performance do the talking.”

Some quick background: Remember all those heartwarming stories in the last few months that Woods and Mickelson are really buddies after all?

Sure, that’s why they played together in the Skins Game and why Mickelson showed up to play Tiger’s tournament at Sherwood Country Club.

It was the feel-good golf story of the year ... or was it?

Many were skeptical about the whole concept of a warm Woods-Mickelson relationship, but whatever you might have thought about it, chances are it’s going to be cooling off very soon.

Mickelson did an interview with Golf magazine and it was all going along nicely, right up to the point that Mickelson said he and Woods don’t have any issues.

“Well, maybe one,” Mickelson said. “He hates it that I can fly it past him now. He has a faster swing speed than I do, but he has inferior equipment. Tiger is the only player who is good enough to overcome the equipment he is stuck with.”

Tiger switched to a Nike driver last spring and won the Masters and U.S. Open with it.

“Tiger has won 13 more tournaments than Phil and he has won eight majors,” Wood said. “Phil Mickelson has won zero majors and zero golf tournaments that mean anything.

“And, furthermore, ask John Daly how much driving distance has to do with winning golf tournaments.”

Mickelson, who uses a Titleist driver, is averaging 312 yards in his measured drives, second to Ernie Els at 319.6.

Mickelson said his comment should not be taken out of context. He said it was nothing more than “a positive comment on Tiger’s incredible talent.”

In a statement released through his agent, Mickelson said he was smiling when he said that Woods hates it when Mickelson flies his ball past him.

That was in reference to the round they played together at the Target World Challenge in December. A third person at the interview said, “What Tiger hated that day was spending so much time looking for your ball in the weeds.”

Mickelson then said the line about Woods’ equipment, according to the clarification by his agent.

Mickelson said he respected Woods and didn’t intend to knock Nike.

Sponsor Deal

Dave Dorman, chairman and chief executive of AT&T;, announced that his company has agreed to an eight-year extension of its deal as title sponsor of the Pebble Beach tournament, through 2010.

Kingmaker

The U.S. Golf Assn. gave Betsy King a special invitation to play in the U.S. Open.

King, who won the Open in 1989 and 1990, has seven major titles and 34 tournament victories. The U.S. Open will be played July 3-6 at Pumpkin Ridge in Oregon.