Miller's comments during U.S. Open didn't bother me, says Mediate

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BARRINGTON, R.I. (AP) -- Rocco Mediate says he's not bothered by NBC golf analyst Johnny Miller saying the 45-year old golfer "looks like the guy who cleans Tiger's swimming pool," and "Guys with the name 'Rocco' don't get on the trophy" during the U.S. Open.

Mediate was in Rhode Island on Monday to play in the CVS Caremark Charity Classic at the Rhode Island Country Club. He won the tournament five years ago.

Miller apologized Friday for his description of Mediate, who is of Italian heritage. Miller said the comments had nothing to do with Mediate's ethnicity, and he meant to convey his affection and admiration for Mediate's "everyman qualities."

Mediate told WJAR-TV that Miller's comments had been blown out of proportion.

"It doesn't bother me at all," he said. "He definitely didn't do it on purpose."

He called Miller "quite a good announcer" because he says what's on his mind. He said the analyst had left him a voicemail and he planned to call him back.

Mediate, who has never won a major, was the runner-up at the U.S. Open, losing a 19-hole playoff to Tiger Woods.

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