Sergio Garcia makes racist remark when asked about Tiger

by McLaren Wed 22 May - 1:38

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 MustPuttBetter Fri 24 May - 10:18

beninho wrote:I am assuming Mr McLaren is a white British male and therefore has no reason to be offended personally. but is trying to explain why people may be offended. especially in the face of people seeing no reason for anyone to be offended.

Mac is always explaining why someone should be offended about everything

by beninho Fri 24 May - 10:28

I don't think anyone believes o'Grady to be racist. just to have made a stupid comment which some people could find offensive.

by Roller_Coaster Fri 24 May - 12:40

Ben - Likewise Garcia IMO

by kwinigolfer Fri 24 May - 13:22

One of my all-time favourite tracks is Lou Reed's Walk On The Wild Side, "doo do doo, doo do doo, doo do doo".
Played on the radio every day without any critical comment . . . . . .

by Shotrock Fri 24 May - 13:30

For any all that don't think the term "colored" is pejorative here in the states ... suggest you go to downtown Philly, Boston, LA, NY, Chicago (and Burlington) and ask a black person if they just saw a "colored" person with a red cap walk by. Further, ask them if they really like fried chicken a lot.

Gauge their reaction.

Then, tell them you're not offended when someone calls you "X" ... so therefore they have no right to be ...

Rolling Eyes

.

by kwinigolfer Fri 24 May - 13:47

But why is it OK on the radio, Sr? Lou Reed gets paid for singing it, but O'Grady gets slagged off for a naive slip of the tongue.
Not trying to belittle it, but there ARE two standards here. Insults of Europe and Europeans are commonplace on American news broadcasts, all day, every day; much of "Europe" being code for things certain political persuasions don't care for.

On a very serious note, we have an incredibly diverse population for a small (42,000) town, 52 different primary languages to cope with in the school system (plus English I like to remind them), for instance, and the cultural respect fostered at a very early age by my children and their mates is incredible.
Makes you realise the younger generations might be capable of sorting out the mis-steps on both sides of the language divide by its predecessors, especially mine.

by Shotrock Fri 24 May - 13:56

Kwin - Why is Mark Twain's book "Tom Sawyer" OK since it contains ample rhetoric of the "N" word?

You know the answer ... a time and a place.

by Lairdy Fri 24 May - 14:00

How do we know that Sergio's friends arent colourful i.e. interesting?

by Aruglia Fri 24 May - 14:08

mystiroakey wrote:My main concern with O'Grady is his need to use the 'His mates are black(coloured)" line in the first place. Arggg that in itself is his main lack of ignorance!!

Same here. It was definitely a picard

moment for me. Right out John Terry's book.

by kwinigolfer Fri 24 May - 14:18

Sr,
I know the reasons, just trying to point out the hypocracy of the court of American public opinion.

by mystiroakey Fri 24 May - 14:32

" itself is his main lack of ignorance!!"

Doh

by super_realist Fri 24 May - 15:41

I was watching The Dambusters last week.

Can you remember what the black lab is called? You guessed it. N****r.

by Davie Fri 24 May - 15:46

Yes and it gets edited out these days

by super_realist Fri 24 May - 15:51

It wasn't at the weekend, and nor should it be. It's an old film.

by gaelgowfer Fri 24 May - 19:24

I can remember a time when a shade of the colour black was referred to as n....r black.

by mystiroakey Fri 24 May - 20:24

gaelgowfer wrote:I can remember a time when a shade of the colour black was referred to as n....r black.

Are you line 100 years old or something!!

Surely even that would have been racist 30 years ago!!

by gaelgowfer Fri 24 May - 20:30

mystiroakey wrote:
gaelgowfer wrote:I can remember a time when a shade of the colour black was referred to as n....r black.

Are you line 100 years old or something!!

Surely even that would have been racist 30 years ago!!

No, but I'm convinced super-realist thinks I am! Laugh

Let me see now ... 100 years ago would make that 1913. Racist undertones were on the go way more than half a century later.

by mystiroakey Fri 24 May - 20:31

Good at maths I see!!

Ok yeah but I am kind of shocked at that colour name!

by super_realist Fri 24 May - 20:33

I doubt it was on the Dulux colour chart Oakey.

by gaelgowfer Fri 24 May - 20:40

mystiroakey wrote:Good at maths I see!!

Ok yeah but I am kind of shocked at that colour name!

As hard as this may be to believe, I don't think this particular term was ever knowingly intended to be a racial insult ... at least, not on this side of the atlantic. Having said that, I was young so didn't know any better.

by gaelgowfer Fri 24 May - 20:43

super_realist wrote:I doubt it was on the Dulux colour chart Oakey.

I doubt that too s_r. I'd only heard it referenced to clothing.

by mystiroakey Fri 24 May - 20:49

IU just read up about it Gael.

In china some things are still made and called n....r brown and n....r black!!!

Sofas, shoes etc etc

Shocked

by gaelgowfer Fri 24 May - 20:56

Riiiight enough ... I'd forgotten about n....r brown. May I am a 100 after all. Laugh

by Plunky Fri 24 May - 23:11

The uniform at my grammar school (so I'm going back a few years obviously) included the color "n....r brown". Everybody referred to it that way -- kids, parents, teachers, stores assistants, etc. We were truly ignorant in the real sense of the word. I thought it was simply an abbreviation of the word negro and had no clue that it was offensive. Back then we had 2 tv channels, i don't think we knew anybody who had ever been to USA, and I don't recall seeing any black people around -- certainly none in my school. No excuse these days, but back then we really didn't know any better.

by pedro Sat 25 May - 19:43

lorus59 wrote:I think what makes Garcia's comments racist is the fact that Zoeller said it back in 1997. After Zoeller said it, anyone who said it in the future knew it was going to be construed as a racist remark.

Absolutely right!

Btw, mac, have you seen Django?

by kingraf Sat 25 May - 20:48

Must say I am shocked this has gotten so big. Garcia made a stupid comment, but I dont buy that Woods is hurt, especually in light of the Steve Williams incident. Woods stood up for a open racist then, he is saying that he is okay with being called a black ar$€hole, but the minute you bring up fried chicken Youve gone too far? Please note this has nothing to do with the fact that I always did think Woods was more Neil Diamond than James Brown

by incontinentia Sat 25 May - 20:52

kingraf wrote:Must say I am shocked this has gotten so big.

That's what Lindsey Vonn said.

by mystiroakey Sat 25 May - 20:53

I cant stop getting shocked on here..

Shocked

by incontinentia Sat 25 May - 20:57

what Sergio said is way worse than what Steve Williams said.

by kingraf Sat 25 May - 21:26

Incontinentia- I dont see it that way. Garcia made a dumb joke in response to a question. He shouldnt have said it, but he was immediately apologetic when he did. Steve Williams wasnt asked if he found Tigers @ss attractive. He was merely asked where he rates his win with Adam Scott vs his victories with Tiger. How he got from a question he could have answered by saying "I enjoyed winning with Adam more", to saying
"It was my aim to shove it up that black arse----," thats intent, like serious hate intent.

by Roller_Coaster Sun 26 May - 0:16

Kin - check. Garcia, stupid mistake. Williams, malice of forethought. Inco, sorry, don't see how that works. Bit of a stupid mistake versus premeditated hatred.

Although I don't think Williams is racist either, just hates woods for sacking him.

by dynamark Sun 26 May - 9:26

Garcia thanking the crowds for their support every tee and green-funny old world.I remember me mum using the n'brown reference for the colour of clothing and we also had Robertson jam in the larder and you could collect the little golliwog labels and send them off to receive a proper little badge thing.
Different time

by McLaren Sun 26 May - 11:24

Monty the latest 21st century golf figure to expose himself as ignorant.

http://www.scotsman.com/the-scotsman/sport/golf/montgomerie-golf-s-racism-row-left-players-scared-1-2944471

A nice summary from Geoff Shackleford.

http://www.geoffshackelford.com/homepage/2013/5/25/monty-please-help-us-know-what-dreadful-things-not-to-say.html

It seems plenty of those writing about golf get it, but those playing it, running it and posting on forums about it just don't get it!

by super_realist Sun 26 May - 11:55

Of course you never say anything which might offend Mac would you?

I really wish you'd let this lie. He said a bad thing, he immediately apologised. What more would you like him to do?
Much much worse is said in all other sports and all aspects of life and yet you are crying tears of woe onto the poster of Nine Chins on your bedroom ceiling.

Golf is still stuck in 1930. Why would you expect anyone within it to be up to a ninnying level of simpering and hand wringing and general right-on-edness like you are.

by incontinentia Sun 26 May - 12:01

super_realist wrote: and yet you are crying tears of woe onto the poster of Nine Chins on your bedroom ceiling.

dude, that's not even possible. how can you cry on to a ceiling? gravity would thwart any attempt.

by super_realist Sun 26 May - 12:06

I know Inco, that's why I said it. He does manage to make another type of liquid reach it though.

by McLaren Sun 26 May - 12:20

Do you not think it is worth discussing why instead of golf dealing with a racist remark in the correct manner we have had a line of people within the game fail to condemn the remark or even worse actually deny any wrongdoing in the first place?

by super_realist Sun 26 May - 12:22

What would you like them to do Mac?
I think most people have said it was a poorly chosen response to the question posed to him. It was innapropriate. He's apologised. That's it.

Do you want Garcia and O Grady to go on a diveristy course? Take a years subscription to The Guardian?

by McLaren Sun 26 May - 12:33

I would have liked at least one member of the pro golf community to say something condemning the comments of sergio, O'Grady and Monty.

by super_realist Sun 26 May - 12:55

Why, both immediately apologised. If you said something inappropriate yet immediately apologised would you expect to be condemned for it?

He said sorry, he's learnt a lesson.

by Davie Sun 26 May - 19:45

McLaren wrote:Monty the latest 21st century golf figure to expose himself as ignorant.

http://www.scotsman.com/the-scotsman/sport/golf/montgomerie-golf-s-racism-row-left-players-scared-1-2944471

A nice summary from Geoff Shackleford.

http://www.geoffshackelford.com/homepage/2013/5/25/monty-please-help-us-know-what-dreadful-things-not-to-say.html

It seems plenty of those writing about golf get it, but those playing it, running it and posting on forums about it just don't get it!

I usually can't stand Monty or anything he says, but for once I think he has nailed this one. Nothing wrong with anything he said - and the Shackleford piece is only grovelling and kow-towing to his own buddies in the golf media (am I un-PC for saying kow-tow?)

I am thoroughly sick of PC. Yes if someone comes out with a comment totally outrageous that no one will defend them, then they should be pilloried - but in this case Garcia, O'Grady and Monty have all said things that a certain percentage of the population can't see a problem with, even if the Grauniad readers are up in arms

Interestingly enough, in by local pub last night we watched the Champions League final and there were a couple of hotel guests in there who were black/coloured/non-caucasian/insert-your-own-adjective-here. They were African in descent but living in Germany and supporting Dortmund - at one point she referred to herself as "a black bitch" and others picked up on it and used the same expression.

No harm, no arguments, lots of fun. PC is killing this country

by kingraf Sun 26 May - 19:53

Roller- I think the Sergio issue is done with, Tiger got over it, black people in general never really got into it (most either werent suprised, or had more important issues on had, judging by Twitter). Though I must say, Steve Williams in my mind is a racist. You dont make a comment like that wothout racist leanings.

by McLaren Thu 30 May - 14:35

A supremely mature response from tiger

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/golf/22714113

by JAS Thu 30 May - 15:24

...did you really expect anything different Mac? So...Tiger has dealt with it and is moving on...why don't you do the same??

Nicklaus summed it up quite nicely too. If 2 players have an issue, they talk about it and its done with. With the Tiger and Sergio thing, you guys (The Press) want to make the issue."

by SetupDeterminesTheMotion Thu 30 May - 15:49

It's amazing Kelly Tilghman calls him , N*****r on TV, but Tigger says she was only joking.

Yet when Sergio talks about "Fried Chicken", he gets very hurt..... vomit

by Shotrock Thu 30 May - 15:51

JAS, I agree with what Jack says, but didn't Sergio pretty much offer up his "fried chicken" thoughts when he could have simply denied comment?

by JAS Thu 30 May - 16:35

Yeah and hindsight always has 20/20 vision Shotrock, obviously he shouldn't have said it but, I genuinely believe it was a throwaway remark probably being borne out of being slightly irritated by the line of questioning. I think I said in a previous post somewhere had it been me I would have said "I'm here to play the BMW at Wentworth, Tiger isn't in the field, could you therefore explain the relevance of your question" but no...he took the bait :-/

I do find it irritating that they keep bringing it up, Woods response to the most recent questioning was pretty restrained to be fair...both of them must be getting mighty irritated out the level of sh1t stirring going on. I could also detect a degree of irritation in Nicklaus when he was questioned about it.

by Shotrock Thu 30 May - 17:07

JAS - Agree! But this 24 hours "news" (use that term loosely) tapeworm never stops feeding ...

by JAS Thu 30 May - 20:55

So...much as I detest the banal shouting from the crowd e.g. the "geddindahole" morons. All of whom I think should be ejected with a size 9 up the back side but...what I wanted to know was...Is it still ok (not politically incorrect) to shout about food e.g. Mashed Potato?? and if it's OK to shout mashed potato why is it not OK to shout out other foods?? just sayin!!

by super_realist Thu 30 May - 21:01

As a country that practices capital punishment, can't the authorities do something about those "geddindahole" and "mashedpotato" asswipes in America?

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