McHale also shunned comment about a 1 percent ownership in the Timberwolves that owner Glen Taylor has been said to offer him as a severance deal. That would have a value of approximately $3 million.

McHale did say he has been talking with several networks about a TV analyst job. A month ago, word was that he and Charles Barkley would team up on TNT for the coming season.

"We'll see," he said.

Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy is 5 feet 9, 165 pounds, and averaged nearly 320 yards driving in last week's Bridgestone tournament in Akron, Ohio.

"Timing, and years of repetition, practice and experimenting," said McIlroy, who has been alive for only 20 years.

Of Tiger Woods' victory over Padraig Harrington in Akron, McIlroy said of Woods, "his drive to win and his ambition is incredible. We were in the locker room and having little bets on how he would play those last three holes, in 2 under or whatever.

"He's probably going to be the greatest golfer who ever lived."

Besides McIlroy, the guy to watch on the driving range during the PGA Championship at Hazeltine National is Alvaro Quiros. The lean 6-3 Spaniard carries drives nearly 300 yards in the air.

"He's physically strong, makes a good turn and moves his hands through fast," Hazeltine teaching professional Mike Barge said.

Last golfer on the practice range Tuesday evening was former Gopher Tom Lehman.

"And it won't be the last time, either," he said.

Lehman, 50, said he "definitely" will play in next year's 3M Championship at the TPC in Blaine.

Official attendance estimates aren't given by the PGA of America, but word around Hazeltine on Tuesday was that nearly 30,000 turned out for the day's practice round.

Woods called Monday's and Tuesday's fan turnout "phenomenal."

Woods recalled a free youth clinic appearance he made in 1999 at Hiawatha Golf Club in Minneapolis on behalf of his foundation.

"My lasting memories are how excited the kids were," he said.

Professionals at the Hazeltine practice range have their choice from among nine brands of new golf balls.

The practice range was so crowded Tuesday afternoon that Stuart Appleby was granted permission to hit out front in a corner.

Rich Beem, who won the 2002 PGA Championship at Hazeltine, was chatting Tuesday about his day of batting practice with the Twins last month at the Metrodome.

"I can't wait to do it again," Beem said, adding that his hands were "a little tingly" the day after the workout.

Mike Schultz, who has been head professional at Hazeltine National for 34 years, suggests preferred viewing for spectators this week can be found near green Nos. 4, 12 and 13, Nos. 1 and 8, and Nos. 10 and 16, all of which are clumped near one another.

The reason former Pittsburgh Steelers great Franco Harris will be in Minneapolis this evening for Bill Powell's PGA of America Distinguished Service Award acceptance at the State Theater is that he's a close friend and fundraiser for the family's foundation.

Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Alan Page, the hall of fame former Viking whose life was influenced by Powell, will attend the tribute unannounced.

Jock Olson, the former Interlachen Country Club professional who studied journalism at Southern Illinois, is an on-course correspondent at the PGA Championship for pga.com . Olson will use his trained golf eyes to twitter observations during the tournament.

Among PGA Tour players this year, 64 have won $1 million or more, and 23 have topped $2 million.

Tim Laudner's team won John Gordon's "Touch 'Em All" fundraiser golf tournament Monday at Brackett's Crossing. Twins catcher Joe Mauer's team consisted of brother Billy and parents Teresa and Jake.

DON'T PRINT THAT

Eyebrows were raised Tuesday afternoon when Tiger Woods, after a relatively short practice range session, headed for the fitness trailer adjacent the players' parking lot.

Earlier in the day, a golf cart carrying Woods had to make an abrupt stop to avoid a collision with a woman who was among spectators seeking his autograph. The woman darted in front of the cart. But she didn't get the autograph.

Although the official PGA Championship vehicle is Mercedes-Benz, Woods is being transported in a Buick SUV as part of his endorsement with the car company.

Woods reputedly doesn't sign golf balls anymore, but a ball with his signature remaining from his playing days as a junior is being auctioned this week for a minimum bid of $1,000 by SimpleAuctionSite.com .

Word in NHL circles is that the Wild and Tampa Bay Lightning are interested in former Montreal left wing Alex Tanguay, who last season had 16 goals and 25 assists for the Canadiens.

OVERHEARD

Philosophical Mike "Fluff" Cowan, 61, who was Tiger Woods' caddie for four years before carrying Jim Furyk's bag the past 10 years, asked if he misses working for Woods: "There's no point missing what you ain't got."