TV runs everything, and it’s not like viewers will suffer by not having Woods and Mickelson on opposite ends of the draw. Coverage the first two days starts at 1 p.m. and ends at 10 p.m. on the East Coast, a combination of ESPN and NBC Sports.

Applaud the USGA for trying what no one else — the PGA Tour, especially — has dared and everyone wants to see, even if there might be so many spectators that half of them won’t be able to see anything at all.

But it must be cautious.

The U.S. Open, known as the toughest test in golf, is on the verge of trying too hard to live up to its reputation. It went over the line at Shinnecock Hills in the final round of 2004, when the greens were allowed to get so baked that players could not keep the ball on the seventh green in the final round. The last two winning scores were 5-over par.

And the USGA decided to go along with a gimmick that takes place Friday at Torrey Pines, when three celebrities and one lucky (or unlucky) amateur will play the course in U.S. Open conditions to see if they can break 100.

The last thing it needs is more accusations of trying to become more than it was meant to be — a circus, not a championship.

Even so, it’s worth a shot.

The players won’t suffer too much, because these guys are used to an audience. Woods and Mickelson, especially, have been around long enough not to get caught up in the hype. Personalities aside, it’s all about posting a score and staying close to the lead.

Just don’t be disappointed if this doesn’t live up to expectations. Woods, Mickelson and Ogilvy all shot 69 on the first day at Medinah in what looked like an ordinary round of a major.

The real treat will be if they’re still together on Sunday afternoon.

Or even just one of them.

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