Golf spat between Corey Pavin & Jim Gray. My money's on Pavin

Golf spat between Corey Pavin & Jim Gray. My money's on Pavin

That Tiger Woods. Always causing a ruckus.

Except this time, Woods was an innocent third party in a bun fight over some key journalistic questions.

Specifically, what does “on the record” mean? What does “out of context” mean? What does “on background” mean?

These ethical issues and more raised their pointy little heads because American Ryder Cup captain Corey Pavin and Jim Gray of Golf Channel seem to be having a difference of opinion over whether Pavin told Gray that he would be using one of his captain’s pick on Woods to get the Philandering Guy into the 2010 tournament in Wales.

Pavin says he never would say such a thing – especially to Gray, who has a reputation for pointed questioning.

Gray says Pavin is a “liar” and is being disingenuous – and told the likable American captain as much to his face at a press conference on Wednesday.

The pair had an acrimonious encounter in front of a number of reporters (and Pavin’s wife) after Pavin’s press conference. Gray apparently said Pavin is “going down” or some other term of endearment.

Gray has not revealed any tape of the conversation in which he claims Pavin imparted this scoop to him and him alone. However, it’s not necessary to have a tape – although one is always useful – to go with a story. A reporter of Gray’s calibre can take written notes during the conversation or even record his mental notes immediately following the chat. Both are acceptable. Whatever the methodology, Golf Channel stands behind its guy’s work.

Pavin is not claiming to have been taken out of context or misunderstood in this case. Pavin says flat-out that Gray is mistaken if he thinks he’d release his picks before September to anyone, let alone a headline-chaser like Gray (who’s won 11 Emmy Awards).

So whom to believe?

It’s possible Pavin got carried away. After all, he’s a golfer, not someone trained in the art of journalism ethics. Being one of the nicest people on the PGA Tour, he’s also been given a lot of slack that, say, John Daly or Boo Weekley might not have received. But it is curious that he would tell Gray before anyone else. Even with the Golf Channel tie-in.

So the focus has turned to Gray, who’s never relied on charm as a virtue. (Wednesday night, his personality was called into question on ESPN, his former employer.)

His famous 1999 interview with the prevaricating Pete Rose (available on YouTube.com) was deemed by many as too harsh and insensitive to Rose, one of the sport’s greatest self-promoters, who was being given a hall pass for one night on his gambling ban by Major League Baseball.

At the time, Usual Suspects sided with Gray – despite the public outcry over Gray’s temerity in asking Rose if he had anything new to say about his gambling past. He was simply doing his job, asking the question to which everyone wanted an answer to.

He may have been brusque and persistent, but Gray understood that if you want to be a fan wrapped up in sentiment over the pathetic Rose’s plight, then you buy a ticket. Given the microphone, you ask the questions that are needed. (Rose subsequently admitted to his betting past.)

In a business rife with sycophants, flacks and apologists, it’s refreshing to see a media type who understands the difference.

Gray did not help his reputation in the recent LeBron James The Decision schmozzle. Gray convinced James’s people he could sell an hour to ESPN predicated on the NBA free agent’s choice of a new team. The show was contrived, disorganized and Gray appeared to be grovelling even as he got the scoop of the year. It was not his finest hour.

Hence, the scoop about Woods.

Some see Gray trying to quickly get his credibility back after being covered in James’s mud. Some see a veteran reporter unafraid to ask tough questions or ruffle the feathers of fans or sports officialdom.

In lieu of Pavin producing evidence to the contrary, we must give Gray the benefit of following the rules of his craft – as his employers have done. You don’t have to like a reporter to believe him.

The only certainty? If Gray had Pavin’s personality and vice versa, this story would likely be viewed in an entirely different light.