Nothing bothering Tiger as he makes 2003 debut

Associated Press

SAN DIEGO — Less than an hour after Phil Mickelson acknowledged he was wrong to criticize Tiger Woods' equipment, his cell phone rang.

Just like that, golf's latest feud appeared to be over.

"I did call him back," Woods said yesterday. "We talked and cleared the air. Everything is fine. No worries. As we all know, Phil can try to be a smart aleck at times. I think that was one of those instances where it just backfired on him."

The only worry Woods has now is the condition of his left knee — and his game.

He'll know more about both when the Buick Invitational begins at Torrey Pines, marking the return of the world's No. 1 player following knee surgery Dec. 12.

A steady rain washed out yesterday's pro-am and kept Woods from getting in one final practice round before ending the longest layoff of his career.

Today's opening round might even be delayed, as more rain is in the forecast.

Woods said while his knee is not 100 percent, it's much better than last year and is strong enough for him to play.

"I'm expecting to go out there and give it my best and see what happens," he said. "Hopefully, it feels as good as it does now at the end of Sunday."

The same could be said of his relationship with Mickelson — probably not 100 percent but better than it was last week, and good enough for them to hash it out.

Mickelson caused a stir last week when he said in an interview with Golf Magazine that Woods has "inferior" clubs. He then tried to pay Woods a compliment by saying he was the only player good enough to "overcome the equipment he's stuck with."

Mickelson made no excuses yesterday, nor did he dodge any criticism.

"It was an area that I just never should have gone," he said. "I did not mean anything malicious by it, or I wasn't trying to make a derogatory statement toward anybody. I still should not have gone in that area."