"It's sad Tiger is not on board with Steve."
/Chalk up another vote for Steve Mata in the Tiger Slam irongate. John Strege reports on his exchange with Greg Kraft:
PGA Tour player Greg Kraft has come to the defense of Mata. Kraft admits he did not witness the exchange, but he was at the Buick Classic in 2001. Kraft wrote this in an email:
"It's sad Tiger is not on board with Steve. There was a time they were very tight. Which is why he gave him those irons. I was not visually there when he gave them to him but remember it well. I was in awe knowing how much they would be worth if ever sold...I remember talking about it. So I do remember most of the facts and do trust Steve Mata. I would have to think that after all Tiger has been through he is confused and doesn't remember. It would be easy to sort out if they talked. The one thing I do know is that Steve Mata would not lie."
Steve Elling about sums up the view most I've talked to seem to have about the irongate saga.
Woods, who detests folks making money off his name more than he does losing to Lefty, denied the clubs were legit. While walking in the second round, Woods was overheard by CBSSports.com telling the caddie of one of his playing partners: "I gave him a set. I don't know if I used them or not. The ones I won with, you think I'd ------- give to somebody?" Probably not, but at this point, with Woods' credibility in the toilet, who are we expected to believe, especially when the club rep says he has witnesses who can attest to the irons' validity?