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When Tiger Woods's caddy, Steve Williams, made some inflammatory comments last week about Phil Mickelson, he was speaking casually at a charity event in New Zealand. He was speaking his truth, if not the truth. He'd never have said what he did had he thought he was speaking on the record. This only demonstrates that truth is the last thing anybody should expect from those involved in golf when they're speaking publicly about touchy subjects.

Williams rarely says anything controversial when he's on the record. He wants to keep his lucrative job with the world's No. 1 golfer.

That's what makes his casual comments so interesting. He was quoted in The Taranaki Daily News as saying, "I wouldn't call Mickelson a great player, 'cause I hate the prick."

Williams didn't deny or back off when he was asked the next day whether that's what he really said. He went further, saying, "I don't particularly like the guy. He pays me no respect at all and hence I don't pay him any respect. It's no secret we don't get along, either."

Predictably, Woods, who hates being drawn into any controversial situations and who has perfected the art of saying very little about anything besides his game (and even then he plays it close to the vest), issued a statement. This was on Monday, after he had learned what Williams said.

"I was disappointed to read the comments attributed to Steve Williams about Phil Mickelson," Woods said in the statement. "It was inappropriate. The matter has been discussed and dealt with."

It's hard to know what Woods meant by the last part of his statement. Presumably, he and Williams spoke. He probably let Williams know that he should keep his mouth shut. Williams wouldn't have needed reminding. He's all too aware that Woods's former caddy, Mike (Fluff) Cowan, lost his job when, by all accounts, he became too much of a story himself.

Cowan, like Williams, is an interesting character. He's full of personality and colour. Cowan went on to work for Jim Furyk, who, like Mike Weir and Stephen Ames, is playing in the Chevron World Challenge in Thousand Oaks, Calif. that begins tomorrow. Woods stages the event and would be playing but for his rehabilitation from knee surgery. He's doing a press conference today. It would be surprising if he said anything interesting about the Williams-Mickelson squabble.

Let's be clear. Woods may well have chilly feelings toward Mickelson, although he's said they're all right with each another. Still, they proved incompatible partners when U.S. captain Hal Sutton elected to put them together in the Ryder Cup in 2004. Woods was also not pleased when Mickelson referred in early 2003 in Golf Magazine to Woods's "inferior" equipment.

Mickelson was expressing his honest feelings then, but, predictably again, he backed off the comments. Mickelson has since kept mum on that subject, or much else that would be construed as controversial. He's been the soul of rectitude.

That's the way for most every player. Sure, there are welcome exceptions such as Ames, Rocco Mediate and John Daly. But PGA Tour rookies are given media training at which they're advised to stick to the party line that all is well in their world and not to say anything remotely intriguing. The unnatural style drains the life out of them.

No wonder news conferences can put you to sleep. They're lame excuses for human conversation. One-on-one, on the record conversations with many players aren't much better. Players can be so controlled, they're barely breathing. What they do and how they do it is far more interesting than what they say.

That's why Williams's candid comments have sparked so much interest. They're all over the blogosphere. The New York Times' fine golf writer, Larry Dorman, had a piece yesterday about the matter on the front page of the sports section. Geoff Shackelford, on his lively website, geoffshackelford.com, has been having a field day with the story. Williams's comments have the folks who post regularly on golfclubatlas.com salivating.

Williams was saying something he truly felt. That could be the last time he'll say anything interesting during a public event. That's too bad, because, evidently, he has a lot to say.

Here's to the unguarded, unscripted moment, then. There lies truth. Williams let Woods down, but he was telling it as it is for him, and that was telling. It was Williams, unvarnished. From now on, you can be sure of what you'll get: whitewash, and no colour.

*****

On the tee

PGA TOUR

Chevron World Challenge

Site Thousand Oaks, Calif.

Schedule Tomorrow through Sunday.

Course Sherwood Country Club (7,064 yards, par 72).

Purse $5.75-million (all currency U.S.)

Winner's share $1.35-million.

Canadians Stephen Ames, Mike Weir.

SOUTH AFRICAN

GOLF ASSOCIATION

South African Open

Site Paarl, South Africa.

Schedule Tomorrow through Sunday.

Course Pearl Valley Golf Estate (7,438 yards, par 72).

Purse $1.35-million.

Winner's share $224,290.