Sergio Garcia makes racist remark when asked about Tiger

by McLaren Wed 22 May 2013, 1:38 am

First topic message reminder :

Can we all now agree the guy is an arse hole?

From the Guardian;

Sergio García's ongoing spat with Tiger Woods took an unwelcome turn night, when the Spaniard made what could be interpreted as a racist remark about his opponent.

The Spaniard was on stage at the European Tour's gala players' awards dinner, where he was questioned by the Golf Channel's Steve Sands. García, who has been embroiled in verbal battles with Woods since the Players Championship at Sawgrass this month, was asked in jest if he would have the American round for dinner one night during the upcoming US Open. "We will have him round every night," García said. "We will serve fried chicken."

The statement was similar to Fuzzy Zoeller's infamous remark towards Woods in 1997. Then, after Woods won his first major, the Masters, which entitled him to choose the champions' dinner menu for the following year, Zoeller said: "You pat him on the back and say congratulations and enjoy it and tell him not serve fried chicken next year. Got it? Or collard greens or whatever the hell they serve." Zoeller later apologised and said he had been misconstrued.

García left last night before he could be asked to clarify his remarks, but later issued a statment through the European Tour, saying: "I apologise for any offence that may have been caused by my comment on stage during The European Tour Players' Awards dinner. I answered a question that was clearly made towards me as a joke with a silly remark, but in no way was the comment meant in a racist manner."

Earlier in the day he had earlier been pressed on his relationship – or lack of one – with the world No1 when previewing the PGA Championship. "I mean, you can't like everybody," the Spaniard said. "I think that there's people that you connect with and there's people that you don't. You know, it's pretty much as simple as that. I think that he doesn't need me in his life, I don't need him in mine, and let's move on and keep doing what we're doing."

When asked when this problem first came to light, García replied: "A while back. It's never really been like a true connection like I would have maybe with Luke Donald or Lee Westwood or Adam Scott or some of the other guys that I get along with well."

Paul McGinley, who will lead Europe into the 2014 Ryder Cup, used the Surrey course as the venue to announce he is increasing the captain's wildcard picks from two to three. The leading four players from the European Tour's order of merit and five from the world rankings list will gain automatic entry for the event, to be held at Gleneagles. "I feel like by giving myself an extra pick, it's a little bit of wriggle room," McGinley explained.

"Like it or not, we have to acknowledge the fact that most of the players are now based in America, playing on the PGA Tour. I think in the big scheme of things this is actually going to help the European Tour more because I am going to be watching very closely for those three picks.

"Guys who are not in the top 50 in the world, who show a bit of form on the European Tour, they are going to rank very highly with the possible opportunity of a pick.

"Ideally, I would love to be able to say I want 12 players off the European Order of Merit. But I know that's not practical or realistic and I know I wouldn't have a strong enough team to win the Ryder Cup. At the end of the day, my head will fall; it's on me and it is my decision."

by Davie Wed 22 May 2013, 1:45 pm

The "official" Tiger Woods twitter account has just posted...

The comment that was made wasn’t silly. It was wrong, hurtful and clearly inappropriate...

Fuel to the flames.

by MustPuttBetter Wed 22 May 2013, 1:46 pm

Ha

If you make a joke and it includes something which may have a racial connection, you're a racist.

Game's up Inco

by MustPuttBetter Wed 22 May 2013, 1:50 pm

Davie wrote:The "official" Tiger Woods twitter account has just posted...

The comment that was made wasn’t silly. It was wrong, hurtful and clearly inappropriate...

Fuel to the flames.

As opposed to when his mate Stevo said something much more overtly racial, that was all ok.
Flip flops* to suit himself. His opinion isn't worth a bean.

*no connection should be made to the fact that some flip flops are indeed black

by Diggers Wed 22 May 2013, 2:01 pm

MustPuttBetter wrote:
Davie wrote:The "official" Tiger Woods twitter account has just posted...

The comment that was made wasn’t silly. It was wrong, hurtful and clearly inappropriate...

Fuel to the flames.

As opposed to when his mate Stevo said something much more overtly racial, that was all ok.
Flip flops* to suit himself. His opinion isn't worth a bean.

*no connection should be made to the fact that some flip flops are indeed black

How on earth was Stevo his mate when he made his comment ? As I remember at he time anyway MPB you didn't believe there was anything remotely racial about his comment either anyway.

by Sand Wed 22 May 2013, 2:02 pm

Davie wrote:The "official" Tiger Woods twitter account has just posted...

The comment that was made wasn’t silly. It was wrong, hurtful and clearly inappropriate...

Fuel to the flames.

Not really as look at the other 2 tweets that account has made since.

Good reaction IMO.

by McLaren Wed 22 May 2013, 2:03 pm

Does anyone disagree with tigers assessment of the comment?

by incontinentia Wed 22 May 2013, 2:06 pm

MustPuttBetter wrote:Ha

If you make a joke and it includes something which may have a racial connection, you're a racist.

Game's up Inco

I'm black MPB, so my comment can't possibly be racist! (heh heh)

by kwinigolfer Wed 22 May 2013, 2:08 pm

Yes.
It was stupid but clearly nothing more sinister than that.

Pity Elin's not on Twitter.

by Bob_the_Job Wed 22 May 2013, 2:09 pm

S_R: "Come on Navy, he used Wiki as a reliable source, a quick rebuke was in order."

I know (but don't fully understand) the view of Wiki, which is why I also backed it up with the dictionary definition. And you forgot "drip at the end of the nose" to go along with ginger etc. Tut tut

by MustPuttBetter Wed 22 May 2013, 2:10 pm

Diggers wrote:How on earth was Stevo his mate when he made his comment ? As I remember at he time anyway MPB you didn't believe there was anything remotely racial about his comment either anyway.

Ok, once friend

I didn't say Stevo's comment wasn't racial. I said it wasn't necessarily racist. Not all racial comments are racist - and the fact people believe they are is precisely the problem.
I felt about that much the same as I feel about the Sergio thing but Stevo actually mentioned race in what he said so is more overtly racial than Sergio. But Tiger said that was all ok. Difference?

by Davie Wed 22 May 2013, 2:11 pm

McLaren wrote:Does anyone disagree with tigers assessment of the comment?

I do

by Lairdy Wed 22 May 2013, 2:11 pm

I disagree with it Mac. I understand Tiger had to put up with quite a bit when he was growing up on the golf course but, as others have pointed out, its completely contradictory to his reaction to the Williams comment.

Sergio has Tiger spot on - he's full of it and not to be trusted. At least Sergio is a little more honest with himself and those around him.

by MustPuttBetter Wed 22 May 2013, 2:12 pm

incontinentia wrote:
MustPuttBetter wrote:Ha

If you make a joke and it includes something which may have a racial connection, you're a racist.

Game's up Inco
I'm black MPB, so my comment can't possibly be racist! (heh heh)

So you're saying black people can't be racist towards black people? Is there no end to these insulting views?? thumbsup

by Diggers Wed 22 May 2013, 2:13 pm

I suppose you could argue that Woods felt he owed Stevo something after his years on the bag and cut him some slack when he could have slaughtered him, even though Steveo was clearly a bit bitter about the split.
Of course that would mean we had to give Woods some credit for something, and that rarely happens on here.

by McLaren Wed 22 May 2013, 2:13 pm

Kwini

Do you not wonder why sergio chose to mention fried chicken? I just dont see how he could be oblivious to the connotations of its use.

by Davie Wed 22 May 2013, 2:15 pm

Far fetched diggers. Far more likely that he didn't really care about Stevo's comments, and therefore shouldn't care about Sergio's either. Instead he fans the flames further - and of course the desperate hacks lap it up

by super_realist Wed 22 May 2013, 2:16 pm

Mac, stop trying to conflate an issue. He's apologised, stop being a yoghurt knitter.

by Diggers Wed 22 May 2013, 2:19 pm

Davie wrote:Far fetched diggers. Far more likely that he didn't really care about Stevo's comments, and therefore shouldn't care about Sergio's either. Instead he fans the flames further - and of course the desperate hacks lap it up

Id have said very likely rather than far fetched. Feels he owes Stevo a dignified silence, feels he owes Garcia nothing. He has had two very different relationships with the two men after all.
If the flames get fanned Garcia has nobody to blame but himself.

by mystiroakey Wed 22 May 2013, 2:23 pm

The two most boring personalities in golf going at it.

Jeas I cant wait for the next major!!

by kwinigolfer Wed 22 May 2013, 2:25 pm

Mac,
If I heard that I would feel it was a demographic (i.e. poor) slur, certainly not a racist comment. Perhaps ignorant, probably stupid, but not racist.

Lairdy is spot on, Tiger Woods Inc milking this (the entire Sergio relationship, not just the latest stupidity) for all they can. Which is perfectly understandable considering their audience.

by MustPuttBetter Wed 22 May 2013, 2:29 pm

To be fair Digs, I'm not anti Woods. I don't spout a load of hate about him and I have said good things about him plenty.
I just think he's milking this one because he wants to win. In truth I can understand that, I might do the same. Doesn't change the fact that it is what's happening

by Bob_the_Job Wed 22 May 2013, 2:31 pm

kwinigolfer wrote:Mac,
... Which is perfectly understandable considering their audience.

People on Internet forums?? Wink

by Diggers Wed 22 May 2013, 2:39 pm

MustPuttBetter wrote:To be fair Digs, I'm not anti Woods. I don't spout a load of hate about him and I have said good things about him plenty.
I just think he's milking this one because he wants to win. In truth I can understand that, I might do the same. Doesn't change the fact that it is what's happening

Well this is what he has tweeted -
Tiger Woods Tiger Woods ‏@TigerWoods 56m
The comment that was made wasn’t silly. It was wrong, hurtful and clearly inappropriate...
Details
Tiger Woods Tiger Woods ‏@TigerWoods 55m
I’m confident that there is real regret that the remark was made.
Details
The Players ended nearly two weeks ago and it’s long past time to move on and talk about golf.
Details

Is that really milking it ? He gave an opinion of how he felt and said lets move on. The tweets came out one after another so is meant as one message.

by Bob_the_Job Wed 22 May 2013, 2:40 pm

super_realist wrote:Mac, stop trying to conflate an issue. He's apologised, stop being a yoghurt knitter.

Conflate an issue? Logic fail or malapropism?

by super_realist Wed 22 May 2013, 2:46 pm

Diggers wrote:
MustPuttBetter wrote:To be fair Digs, I'm not anti Woods. I don't spout a load of hate about him and I have said good things about him plenty.
I just think he's milking this one because he wants to win. In truth I can understand that, I might do the same. Doesn't change the fact that it is what's happening

Well this is what he has tweeted -
Tiger Woods Tiger Woods ‏@TigerWoods 56m
The comment that was made wasn’t silly. It was wrong, hurtful and clearly inappropriate...
Details
Tiger Woods Tiger Woods ‏@TigerWoods 55m
I’m confident that there is real regret that the remark was made.
Details
The Players ended nearly two weeks ago and it’s long past time to move on and talk about golf.
Details

Is that really milking it ? He gave an opinion of how he felt and said lets move on. The tweets came out one after another so is meant as one message.

Hurtful ??????? Laugh

by MustPuttBetter Wed 22 May 2013, 2:52 pm

Ok fair enough, i more meant his fans, the media, the likes of Mac are milking it, although he's certainly savvy enough to know which bit of that tweet the press are going to publish and which bit people like Mac are going to get an erection over

Lets not forget this whole issue started with Tiger telling some porkies at the Players

by GPB Wed 22 May 2013, 3:01 pm

Wow- Sergio Not Wise.

Drinking and Driving is unlawful. Champagne and Chatting should also be against the law.

In other words STFU!

Sergio is going to be heckled badly at Merion. Philadelphia fans have a history of being unapologetically brutal. They once threw snowballs and booed Santa Claus.

by Davie Wed 22 May 2013, 3:02 pm

Redneck justice...

by Diggers Wed 22 May 2013, 3:03 pm

Id have said that the whole thing started because of Garcia making a mountain out of a molehill and going public about it. He started the whole press furore, not Woods.
Anyway I suspect we will now get our dignified silence finally from both parties. Even Garcia, stupid as I believe he is, should know its time to button it and Woods has clearly said what he has to say.
I'll certainly watch next time they get paired together though.

by MustPuttBetter Wed 22 May 2013, 3:09 pm

Garcia was asked about it to be fair. Woods was first to go below the belt by 'creating' an excuse, also known as lying.

But yeah, can't wait for them to play together at the US Open!!

by super_realist Wed 22 May 2013, 3:10 pm

Hopefully both will cancel each other out.

by mystiroakey Wed 22 May 2013, 3:12 pm

TBH after just seeing the interview with serge (in the aftermath)

I feel sorry for him. He is clearly clinically depressed and he said he coudnt sleep last night etc etc. I believe him..

He looked a bit ragged tbh.

That is the final nail in his coffin..

Anyway I like LW words on it.(basically) I dont want to get involved, just dont ask me(paraphasing)

by Diggers Wed 22 May 2013, 3:19 pm

mystiroakey wrote:
Anyway I like LW words on it.(basically) I dont want to get involved, just dont ask me(paraphasing)

Lets face it Mysti if LW told you to do one you'd still love the way he said it because you luuurrrvvveeee him kiss

by mystiroakey Wed 22 May 2013, 3:20 pm

He is English mate. Off course i love him..

Does that make me racist!

by Diggers Wed 22 May 2013, 3:24 pm

mystiroakey wrote:He is English mate. Off course i love him..

Does that make me racist!

No. But if you vote for UKIP it does. Wink

by Hibbz Wed 22 May 2013, 3:29 pm

Regardless of whether Garcia's comment was racial motivated, offensive or whatever I'm quite surprised that people are so ready to give him the benefit of the doubt.

As an uneducated, rich, white man who's spent most of his life surrounded by golfers I'd think there was a good chance he harbours some pretty unpleasant prejudices.

by super_realist Wed 22 May 2013, 3:36 pm

Hibbz wrote:Regardless of whether Garcia's comment was racial motivated, offensive or whatever I'm quite surprised that people are so ready to give him the benefit of the doubt.

As an uneducated, rich, white man who's spent most of his life surrounded by golfers I'd think there was a good chance he harbours some pretty unpleasant prejudices.

Well there's an argument from ignorance if I ever heard it.

by MustPuttBetter Wed 22 May 2013, 3:37 pm

As opposed to the thoroughly trustworthy and upstanding Woods?

by **navyblueshorts** Wed 22 May 2013, 3:51 pm

McLaren wrote:Does anyone disagree with tigers assessment of the comment?

Can you post them verbatim Mac? I don't subscribe to Twitter...

by Hibbz Wed 22 May 2013, 3:54 pm

super_realist wrote:
Hibbz wrote:Regardless of whether Garcia's comment was racial motivated, offensive or whatever I'm quite surprised that people are so ready to give him the benefit of the doubt.

As an uneducated, rich, white man who's spent most of his life surrounded by golfers I'd think there was a good chance he harbours some pretty unpleasant prejudices.

Well there's an argument from ignorance if I ever heard it.

Ignorance of what?

by super_realist Wed 22 May 2013, 3:57 pm

It's jumping to a conclusion based on no evidence.

by **navyblueshorts** Wed 22 May 2013, 3:58 pm

navyblueshorts wrote:
McLaren wrote:Does anyone disagree with tigers assessment of the comment?
Can you post them verbatim Mac? I don't subscribe to Twitter...

Ignore that....hadn't read as far as Digs posting them....

I don't think TW found them hurtful (see mentioned response to the multiple Major-winning Stevie) but I think the comment about genuine regret allows a nice line to be drawn under this. Reasonable.

by **navyblueshorts** Wed 22 May 2013, 3:58 pm

Hibbz wrote:Regardless of whether Garcia's comment was racial motivated, offensive or whatever I'm quite surprised that people are so ready to give him the benefit of the doubt.

As an uneducated, rich, white man who's spent most of his life surrounded by golfers I'd think there was a good chance he harbours some pretty unpleasant prejudices.

Laughable! In a thread discussing stereotyping you come up with this pearler?

by SmithersJones Wed 22 May 2013, 4:02 pm

Hibbz wrote:
As an uneducated, rich, white man who's spent most of his life surrounded by golfers I'd think there was a good chance he harbours some pretty unpleasant prejudices.

Don't be so hard on yourself, Hibbz.

by Hibbz Wed 22 May 2013, 4:03 pm

It's hardly a conclusion, more a suggestion of a possibility based on some of the uneducated rich people I've met.

by super_realist Wed 22 May 2013, 4:09 pm

Whereas you haven't given him the benefit of the doubt claiming that it's highly likely he's a prejudiced bigot.

by **navyblueshorts** Wed 22 May 2013, 4:10 pm

Hibbz wrote:It's hardly a conclusion, more a suggestion of a possibility based on some of the uneducated rich people I've met.

Some and uneducated? So actually not a lot to do with wealth or golf?

by Hibbz Wed 22 May 2013, 4:21 pm

I do hope you aren't offended on Garcia's behalf Super?

I'm am interested to see the reaction when people feel they've been the victim of stereotyping as opposed to their reaction when Woods was the
victim.

Never the less I want to send an unreserved apology. I did not want to offend anyone. My answer was totally stupid and out of place.

by super_realist Wed 22 May 2013, 4:24 pm

Certainly not offended. I find this whole thing rather amusing that people are jumping in front of buses to be offended on Nine Chins behalf.

by Hibbz Wed 22 May 2013, 4:34 pm

True, true, nothing Woods can do about that though. You were quite quick to leap in when I was suggesting Garcia might be a bigot.

I do think he's a bigot too and no it isn't based on having met him.

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