Interesting story from Adam Schupak of Golfweek about the USGA’s new deal with Fox Sports.

Apparently, the USGA is serious about wanting a fresh look for the U.S. Open. Oh, the $100 million or so per year influenced the decision too.

Schupak writes:

The framework of a deal took shape that day until the two sides adjourned for dinner around “6-7ish.” From inside Proskauer Rose’s Times Square headquarters, the USGA brain trust of Hirshland, Henry Smokler, the USGA’s managing director of broadcast and digital media, consultants from Wasserman Media Group, and Proskauer Rose lawyers burned the office lights deep into the night. They discussed Fox’s lack of experience covering golf and concluded that it shouldn’t be considered a stumbling block.

“They have a very proven track record being able to launch in new sports and do it in a very strong and powerful way,” Hirshland said. “They did it in football, they did it in baseball so we have a very high comfort level that they will be able to produce world-class production.”

And then there was this:

Hirshland said the association would collaborate with Fox in selecting the broadcasters to cover its events.

“In fact, Fox invited that. We didn’t have to force that,” Hirshland said. “Quite frankly, I hope they push us a little bit. That’s one of the goals for us. We want to welcome the fresh perspective.”

Does that mean NBC’s Tommy Roy is so yesterday? Go ahead be ticked off, Tommy.

And finally:

Those with long memories may recall that the USGA’s fortunes improved when it abandoned longtime partner ABC and signed a lucrative deal to broadcast USGA championships on NBC Sports in 1994.

“That (deal) was profound and proved to be terrific for the organization,” Hirshland said.

Time will tell if history repeats itself.

Yes, indeed. This is a big dice roll here.

Golf is a game that likes it traditions. There’s going to be a fine line between innovative and “are-you-kidding-me?” with any changes.

Almost can’t wait until 2015 U.S. Open to see what Fox does.

It has been fairly well established that Tiger Woods can get fairly hot at himself during a golf tournament. Especially when things are going badly, as was the case yesterday.

Sure enough, angry Tiger let out a fierce “God damn it” after a couple of bad shots. They were heard in all their glory on ESPN.

Perhaps “God damn it” is acceptable language for conventional TV these days, but I am sure many viewers weren’t thrilled to hear it, especially if they were watching with kids.

What bothers me about all this is that Tiger always gets knocked for having a foul mouth. Like he should say, “Golly, gee whiz” when he hits a bad shot. Or in the vernacular of Ken “Hawk” Harrelson, “Dad gum it.”

The reality is that golf is a maddening game. Often a “Dad gum it” just doesn’t cut it.

Golfers swear. I swear. I wouldn’t want a boom mic around me when I hit a bad shot. Neither would you.

Tiger should have the same freedom go off on himself when things go badly during a round. Believe me, he isn’t alone out there.

If the networks want sound from Tiger, use a 7-second delay so any expletives can be edited out. And if that option doesn’t exist, then keep the boom mics away from him.

It’s really as simple as that.

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Aside from that, I want to hand out props for ESPN’s British Open coverage. Mike Tirico was superb as always as host, and Scott Van Pelt and Sean McDonough are solid with on-course coverage.

Wish we heard more of Paul Azinger on a regular basis, and always a treat to listen to Judy Rankin.

While covering the golf beat, I sat through numerous press conferences in which Gary Player discussed his conditioning. Now we all can see what he was talking about.

The 77-year-old is featured in the upcoming ESPN Magazine’s 2013 body issue. Pretty remarkable.