Golf | GlobalPost

Euro Tour chief sorry for 'colored athletes' gaffe

Thomson ReutersMay 23, 2013 12:33

By Tony Jimenez VIRGINIA WATER (Reuters) - European Tour chief executive George O'Grady was forced to issue an apology on Thursday after re-opening the Tiger Woods-Sergio Garcia racism row by making an unfortunate comment about "colored athletes". Just when it seemed the fuss was starting to die down following this week's spectacular fallout between two of the world's best-known golfers, O'Grady entered the debate by giving an interview to Sky Sports television.

Golf: Ilonen takes early lead at Wentworth

Agence France-PresseMay 23, 2013 10:46

Finland's Miko Ilonen was the early pacemaker as the European PGA Championship started at Wentworth on Thursday. Ilonen shot a five-under par 67, finishing with three birdies in his last five holes, to go into a two-shot lead over Italy's Matteo Manassero who was round in 69, Scotland's Scott Henry and Keith Horne from South Africa who went to the turn in 32. Illonen, a two-time winner on the European Tour, was second in the China Open at the start of the month but in ten visits to Wentworth had a best finish of 15th.

Olazabal urges Woods and Garcia to settle row

Thomson ReutersMay 23, 2013 07:51

By Tony Jimenez VIRGINIA WATER, England (Reuters) - Former European Ryder Cup captain Jose Maria Olazabal drew on the memory of his 2003 spat with Padraig Harrington as he urged fellow Spaniard Sergio Garcia and Tiger Woods to settle their differences. Garcia and 14-times major winner Woods have always had a frosty relationship and the Spaniard had to issue an apology on Wednesday after making a "fried chicken" jibe at the world number one at the European Tour's Player of the Year dinner the previous day.

Johnson banks on Colonial comfort factor

Thomson ReutersMay 22, 2013 18:01

(Reuters) - Zach Johnson has finished no better than joint 18th on the 2013 PGA Tour but hopes he can regain top form on his title defense at this week's Crowne Plaza Invitational in Fort Worth, Texas where he is a twice former champion. A medium-length hitter who is renowned for his accuracy, tenacity and a superb short game, the 37-year-old American has always loved playing at Colonial Country Club, an iconic venue where high quality shot-making reaps rich reward.

Golf: Rain dampens debut of LPGA Bahamas event

Agence France-PresseMay 22, 2013 17:15

The LPGA's first official tournament in the Bahamas boasts an elite field, but Mother Nature has already thrown a wet blanket over this week's event. The $1.3 million tournament was scheduled to run from Thursday through Sunday, but has been shortened to 54 holes and is now to start on Friday after nearly a foot of rain fell on the Ocean Club Golf Course on Tuesday night. In the wake of violent storms, significant amounts of standing water remained on at least seven holes with the ninth and 18th fairways completely flooded, the LPGA said on its website.

McIlroy tight-lipped on management split

Thomson ReutersMay 22, 2013 15:49

By Tony Jimenez VIRGINIA WATER, England (Reuters) - World number two Rory McIlroy refused on Wednesday to confirm reports he had parted company with his management group, Horizon Sports. Close friend and fellow Northern Irishman Graeme McDowell suggested at last week's World Match Play Championship in Bulgaria that McIlroy had split with Horizon.

Golf: Garcia wants Woods talks to diffuse racist row

Agence France-PresseMay 22, 2013 12:15

A contrite Sergio Garcia said Wednesday he wants a meeting with Tiger Woods to apologise directly for the racist row that was sparked by his "fried chicken" comments at an official dinner. Garcia has had a long-running feud with Woods and it exploded on Tuesday night when he was questioned on stage at the annual tour dinner. Garcia was asked if he would invite Woods for dinner and responded by saying he would have him round every night and serve fried chicken, stereotypically associated with black people in the American deep south.

Garcia's fried chicken jibe 'hurtful' - Woods

Thomson ReutersMay 22, 2013 09:48

LONDON (Reuters) - The feud between world number one Tiger Woods and Sergio Garcia deepened when Woods described the Spaniard's "fried chicken" jibe as "wrong, hurtful and inappropriate" on Wednesday. Woods reacted on his Twitter account after Garcia issued an apology to a comment he made at Tuesday's European Tour awards dinner when he was asked on stage whether he would be inviting Woods for dinner during next month's U.S. Open in Merion. "We will have him round every night. We will serve fried chicken." Garcia was heard to say.

Golf: Els predicts battle over anchoring ban

Agence France-PresseMay 22, 2013 09:01

Ernie Els has predicted a legal battle over the ban on anchoring putters set to come into force in 2016 and admitted he would not have won last year's British Open without a long putter. Els' South African compatriot Tim Clark - who has been using an anchored putting stroke since turning professional in 1998 has already vowed to look into the legality of the ban. Four of the last six major winners, including Els who won his fourth at Royal Lytham & St Annes last year, have used the controversial method.

European Tour-S Koreans

Yonhap News AgencyMay 22, 2013 01:30

SEOUL, May 22 (Yonhap) -- Governing bodies of men's professional golf in South Korea and Europe have agreed to stage qualifying events here that will allow local players to compete overseas, officials said Wednesday.