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• Who lost besides Mickelson? How about the British Open? Yes, it's a major, but it certainly won't have the fevered anticipation after Mickelson's sudden demise, and Royal Liverpool Golf Club hasn't hosted an Open in nearly 40 years.

The headlines will instead focus on Mickelson's and Woods' chances to overcome recent declines -- not nearly the hype for a potential Mickelson Slam. The broadcast feed doesn't help, as the satellite skips wash out the course and make following the ball flight a losing proposition.

• OK, next tour. What happened to the LPGA's new can't-miss leader? With the LPGA anticipating boffo exposure and public interest, count me as one of the surprised that commissioner Carolyn Bivens' short reign has been fraught with dissension, distraction, alienation, anxiety, desertion and mutiny among the troops.

She wagered an ill-advised, embarrassing bluff with the Associated Press, had three top aides (whom she hired) leave and is playing hardball with tournament officials even though the Tour has some 12 sponsor-less events next season. The entire calamity makes one wonder about entrusting Bivens to run a lemonade stand. The oft-ridiculed MLB commissioner Bud Selig looks like a genius by comparison. Forget Desperate Housewives; the LPGA's turmoil is now the best soap opera available.

• How's the U.S. Ryder Cup roster shaping up? Captain Tom Lehman's review of his current troops resulted in a whimsical desire to alter the points structure. His lament revolves around the influx of foreign talent that is making it tougher for American players to earn the necessary top 10 finishes to garner Ryder qualifying points.

Lehman wishes his boys could receive credit through a separate list of the top 10 American golfers. While it's a novel concept, it theoretically waters down the field and raises doubts about the ability of homegrown players to produce points the old-fashioned way. There were only seven Americans in the top 25 at the U.S. Open, down from 15 of the top 28 in 2005. Given that major points count double, it's easy to understand Lehman's concern.

Mailbag

Thank you for your U.S. Open review column. I cannot agree with you more on Chris Berman's tired and overplayed act. He needs to fade away. The telecast is not about him. Also totally agree that the dye jobs on Costas and Dan Patrick are awful. Don't forget Jimmy Roberts' painted mane. I am a 48-year-old guy with a full head of mostly gray hair and I think it looks great. These guys look freaking ridiculous.
  -- John Coyne, Venice, Fla.

Johnny Miller is one of the worst announcers in golf coverage. He had no idea what was happening in the final round. His remarks were so far off the mark they were embarrassing. I would much rather hear Roger Maltbie in the booth.
  -- Chuck Wallace

It might be me, but have you ever noticed how many times an announcer will say this putt breaks left and either it goes dead straight or actually goes right? After the shot, there is dead silence from the team. Only Gary Koch will sometimes admit he was fooled. Also is it a contest in news conferences to see which reporter can ask the dumbest question? I don't know how the pros get through the torture.
  -- John Levis

I could not disagree with you more. Johnny Miller's "holier than thou" attitude during the NBC broadcasts of golf make watching golf downright torturous. Miller expects perfection in every shot, and if a player does not pull it off, Miller is quick to criticize. That is ridiculous. Granted, Miller had a short run of success, but I would not consider his career a "long term" success to the point he should be given the luxury of being so critical. On the flip side, I believe Chris Berman adds personality and humor to the broadcast of golf and makes watching golf fun. Berman broadcasts golf from a high-handicapper point of view, which I believe is important. He has fun with the game --  which is just what golf needs. Golf viewership is down, and a guy like Berman is exactly what is needed to bring the fringe fans back to the television to watch regular tour events. Just so you know, I'm a solid two-handicap. Even so, I much prefer Berman's humor to Miller's technical, overly critical broadcasts. So let's put Johnny Miller out on the Champions Tour and let Berman do the broadcast. That is when the truth will come out.
  -- Edward Kelly Jr.

I thought NBC's collapse on Phil's errant second shot on 18 was as ghastly as Phil's choke there. They offered no shot of the ball ostensibly hitting a tree, nor did the announcers ever identify that result. Major league broadcasts need to execute in clutch, too. NBC -- your Jean Van de Velde network.
  -- Kent Brick, Mandan, N.D.

Rick Arnett is the vice president of AVIDGOLFER Magazine distributed statewide in Texas and Georgia. He's also hosted the Teebox Golf Show on Sportsradio 1310, The Ticket in Dallas for the last 12 years. You can e-mail Rick at rick@avidgolferonline.com

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