“While I feel like the comments published were taken out of context, I did call Anthony to apologize for anything that I said or inferred that could possibly portray Anthony as anything less than a professional of the highest caliber."

The PGA Tour issued this release from Rick George, Anthony Kim and Robert Allenby that risks further fanning the flames after Sunday's comments and inevitably will lead to more scrutiny of Kim's behavior. (However, this unbylined ESPN.com account quotes Fred Couples as saying Kim was "crushed" by the remarks and from Couples' perspective, Kim was on good behavior all week.) Anyway, the statement:

Statement from the PGA TOUR regarding Anthony Kim and Robert Allenby, post-Presidents Cup, including quotes from Kim and Allenby

October 14, 2009

“Robert Allenby and Anthony Kim were both part of a fantastic week at The Presidents Cup in San Francisco, representing the U.S. and International Teams, respectively, with utmost professionalism, competitive spirit and good sportsmanship.  Concerning the reports published after the fact with unfortunate comments attributed to Robert regarding Anthony, we understand that both players have since spoken and have put the incident behind them.  We wish them both the best as they play out the remainder of their 2009 schedules.” – PGA TOUR Executive Vice President & Chief of Operations Rick George

Was that as good for you all as it was for me?

“Robert and I have spoken about the comments he made after the final day of competition, and I’ve accepted his apology.  We are both moving on, and I don’t have anything more to say about the issue.  I had a great experience at my first Presidents Cup and look forward to competing in many more international team competitions for my country.” – Anthony Kim

“While I feel like the comments published were taken out of context, I did call Anthony to apologize for anything that I said or inferred that could possibly portray Anthony as anything less than a professional of the highest caliber.  He was a key member of the U.S. Team last week and a formidable opponent on Sunday when we faced each other in singles competition.  I am glad we had the chance to speak and clear the air.” – Robert Allenby

Oh I'm sure it was the highlight of your year.

Can you imagine how many of these clarification statements the PGA Tour would have to issue of they ran the Ryder Cup?

"Guess who's got fewer manners than a fifth-grader?"

From Gary Van Sickle's post-Presidents Cup wrap up:

The inconsiderate media moment of the week came during the International team's post-loss press conference when a nationally known columnist seated in the second row took a cell phone call while an International player was answering a question. Guess who's got fewer manners than a fifth-grader?

Jordan Crashes Presidents Cup Team Picture!

Or at least it looks that way...

But seriously, about that drama, that strategy and all of the second guessing taking place today? I mean it's one thing to walk an All-Star to get a Hall of Famer but Terry Francona...oh, sorry, wrong Sunday drama.

I didn't watch much and I know a lot of you enjoyed watching the world's best tackle that insipid bunkering and drama-free design, so I'll just leave it to the SI guys to actually agree with the PGA Tour brass who were trying to keep Michael Jordan away from official Presidents Cup events:

Gorant: Michael Jordan as an assistant captain also made an impression. It was both cool and ridiculous, and you'd never see that at the Ryder Cup. That says everything about why the Presidents Cup is both better and worse.

Shipnuck: Barf. Jordan was a circus sideshow, nothing more.

Van Sickle: Couldn't agree more, Alan. Honestly, what's this guy really doing hanging around with pros? Get a day job.

Lipsey: He has a day job: counting money, smoking cigars, chillin' in Vegas and playing golf with Tiger and his pals.

Presidents Cup Day 3, How Was It?

I can say I didn't see a single shot, but I did happen to walk by a golf course starter who had it on and well, it was dark and we're in the same time zone so I can only conclude that pace of play was just sterling!

And is it true the NBC team referred to the Europeans on more than one occasion?

John Huggan compares the Presidents Cup with the Ryder Cup and finds the PGA Tour's event lacking.

OK, maybe a more low-key attitude towards the RC would be no bad thing in tabloid world, but, conversely, almost everyone has a hard time getting even a little worked up about the PC. Immediately after he and Adam Scott had closed out Hunter Mahan and Sean O'Hair by 2&1 on day one, Els seemingly couldn't be bothered to walk back and support his guys in the next match. Instead, the big South African teed off at the 18th and played quietly in by himself. Ho-hum.

Update on 2009-10-11 04:43 by Geoff

Woods v. Yang makes tomorrow watchable. Ryo v. Kenny isn't bad either. Ogilvy v. Stricker should be interesting. The rest? Zzzz...

Michael Jordan's Attempts To Contract An Oral Cancer Will Have To Wait

Reason No. 1 why I love California...

"Arguably what's at stake is the future of San Francisco public golf, and by extension, the value of public golf everywhere."

Miraculously no one has asked yet how the PGA Tour and City of San Francisco spent $23 million and got a functional but ultimately disappointing Harding Park redesign. Brad Klein noted quite accurately that "a round here produces the sense of waiting for something to happen that never quite materializes."

Which is why I suppose the Presidents Cup re-routing--a blatant move for the corporate tent folks as Ron Whitten documents in Golf World--doesn't really matter much. If you know the course and want to get a nice feel for the new sequencing, check out Brett Avery and Golf World's interactive map.

Meanwhile, SF native Jaime Diaz makes the case that no matter what you might feel about the course, this is a huge week for public golf with two courses fighting for their existence and beleaguered Harding looking to stay on the PGA Tour's radar.