This week, NYP TV Sports’ Andrew Marchand spoke with NBC golf analyst Johnny Miller. The 57-year-old Miller, in his 15th year as an analyst, will call this weekend’s U.S. Open.
Q: Why is the U.S. Open the hardest major to win?
A: I think the actual name of it is just a killer for most players. For them to envision themselves being the United States Open champion is way past their choke point, especially for the Europeans. I remember I used to play the French Open or the German Open, I used to gag for those tournaments, because I am playing for somebody’s national championship. And they were just little tournaments.
I just think for a guy from Spain or Korea or something to say they are the United States Open champion, they can’t do it. There aren’t many guys who can handle that pressure. That is why, usually, tough guys win the Open.
Q: Who is the toughest golfer you have ever been around?
A: Tiger Woods is right there. There are a couple really close to him. [Raymond] Floyd and [Jack] Nicklaus and [Hale] Irwin, those guys were tougher than nails. Tiger is a lot like [the Lakers’] Kobe [Bryant]. If he has to make a shot, he just makes it – kind of like Michael Jordan. It isn’t, “Well, the guy nicked my elbow and that’s why I missed it.” It just goes in. I call it, “The Jerry West Syndrome.”
Q: Earlier this week, Tiger Woods criticized TV analysts. What did you think?
A: He doesn’t love us. It is our job. I was just on the course and some of them were needling me, trying to get even and saying, “Don’t be too hard on us.” I want to tell them I’m a color commentator. I’m not a gray commentator. I’m supposed to talk in vivid colors, not gray. I’m not a “Yo, pro, announcer.” There are a lot of announcers who say, “Yo, pro, I’m your pal. I would never say anything bad about you.” I’m not one of those “Yo, pro, announcers.”
I’m just who I am. I have a greater obligation to be really interesting, concise and honest to the public than to the pros. I don’t try to kill anybody.
Q: Who is a young player who could blossom into a top player in the near future?
A: They call him the Swedish Seve Ballesteros, Fredrik Jacobsen. He can get it up and in from everything.
Q: Do you like being a broadcaster?
A: Just about every other [tournament], I think I should retire to go fly fishing and do corporate outings and not have to answer to the pros all the time.