re: So did the USGA basically say their Open Champ is a liar??

they're not calling him a liar ... he doesn't think his soling of the club next to the ball caused it to move, and they do (since there could be no other explanation in their mind) ... and they all but admitted they were going to penalize him in their on-air conversation with buck & co when he was out on the course ... they were going to penalize him regardless of the outcome, even if it meant he doesn't get into a playoff ... they have to make everyone acknowledge how important their precious integrity of the game is, and this is how they do it ... frick em ...