Jim Gray is pulled off Golf Channel coverage

Jim Gray was pulled from Golf Channel’s coverage of the Northern Trust Open at Riviera Country Club on Friday after he and Bobby Brown, caddie for Dustin Johnson, exchanged heated words Thursday.

Johnson, who last year led this tournament for the first two rounds, almost missed his tee time Thursday. Johnson said his caddie had mistaken his Wednesday pro-am 8:12 a.m. start and Thursday’s scheduled 7:32 a.m. start. Johnson missed being disqualified by seconds and incurred a two-shot penalty.

During Thursday’s round, Gray tried to interview Johnson about the incident, Brown said. Brown also said that he told Gray after the round that it had been inappropriate for Gray to be speaking to Johnson during play.

Golf Channel spokesman Dan Higgins issued a statement saying, “Our aim is to provide the best possible golf coverage for our viewers. Anything else is a disservice. In order not to provide further distraction, we’ve decided to remove Jim from this particular assignment.”

Higgins also said he had no comment on whether Gray would continue to work for Golf Channel, saying it was “an internal matter” that would be discussed later.

Gray answered his phone Friday morning but said he had a bad connection and to call back. After that Gray did not return several calls or text messages.

Last year Gray and then-Ryder Cup captain Corey Pavin got into a public argument after Gray reported Pavin had decided to make Tiger Woods a captain’s pick for the team. Pavin denied he had told Gray anything and during the argument Pavin was overheard calling Gray “a liar.”

Gray also received negative publicity last summer when he was chosen by LeBron James to interview the NBA star on ESPN when James announced he would be signing with the Miami Heat.

[email protected]

twitter.com/mepucin