“While I feel like the comments published were taken out of context, I did call Anthony to apologize for anything that I said or inferred that could possibly portray Anthony as anything less than a professional of the highest caliber."

The PGA Tour issued this release from Rick George, Anthony Kim and Robert Allenby that risks further fanning the flames after Sunday's comments and inevitably will lead to more scrutiny of Kim's behavior. (However, this unbylined ESPN.com account quotes Fred Couples as saying Kim was "crushed" by the remarks and from Couples' perspective, Kim was on good behavior all week.) Anyway, the statement:

Statement from the PGA TOUR regarding Anthony Kim and Robert Allenby, post-Presidents Cup, including quotes from Kim and Allenby

October 14, 2009

“Robert Allenby and Anthony Kim were both part of a fantastic week at The Presidents Cup in San Francisco, representing the U.S. and International Teams, respectively, with utmost professionalism, competitive spirit and good sportsmanship.  Concerning the reports published after the fact with unfortunate comments attributed to Robert regarding Anthony, we understand that both players have since spoken and have put the incident behind them.  We wish them both the best as they play out the remainder of their 2009 schedules.” – PGA TOUR Executive Vice President & Chief of Operations Rick George

Was that as good for you all as it was for me?

“Robert and I have spoken about the comments he made after the final day of competition, and I’ve accepted his apology.  We are both moving on, and I don’t have anything more to say about the issue.  I had a great experience at my first Presidents Cup and look forward to competing in many more international team competitions for my country.” – Anthony Kim

“While I feel like the comments published were taken out of context, I did call Anthony to apologize for anything that I said or inferred that could possibly portray Anthony as anything less than a professional of the highest caliber.  He was a key member of the U.S. Team last week and a formidable opponent on Sunday when we faced each other in singles competition.  I am glad we had the chance to speak and clear the air.” – Robert Allenby

Oh I'm sure it was the highlight of your year.

Can you imagine how many of these clarification statements the PGA Tour would have to issue of they ran the Ryder Cup?

Comments

[Lynn S.]

The speaker implies, the listener infers.
In the last paragraph I think the Tour got their words mixed. Or maybe they just took the Allenby quote directly from him.
Another minor detail on a minor incident. I watched them play a bit, they got along fine. This did not need to be addressed with any further comment.
In fact, I thought in general everyone was a bit too friendly. Except of course Tiger, who wanted to win 10 and 8.

[Chuck]

Where's Colin Montgomerie when you really need him?

[The O]

Lynn, sometimes I wonder if people screw up the imply/infer distinction on purpose. If you say you implied something, then you're basicly admiting that you actually meant it. What you really want to say is "sorry you inferred something I didn't really mean", but since you're apologizing, you want to sound contrite which blaming the listener does not do.

And even if Tiger had found a way to win 18&17, he wouldn't get the Wannemaker. Sorry, charlie.

[Ardmore Ari]

This is another in a long line of lame non issue stories. Allenby got beat. Allenby made remarks. He probably still can't believe that he got beat by a bleary eyed young punk that can flat out play. AK will mature but hopefully he doesn't run out of game before then. Allenby on the other hand is another Aussie under acheiver (insert Appelby and most others).

[Aunt Blabbie]

AK's a little peacock without too much to strut about yet. That's all.

[RM]

Why even issue that lame-ass release? I bet it would be a blast to go drinking with AK til 4am (although I probably couldn't hang past midnight!), and I bet it would be miserably boring to spend 5 minutes doing whatever it is he does on a Saturday night with Allenby. Just leave it alone, Allenby will still drift into anonymity and AK will continue to rise. I stayed out til 3-4 am every Friday and Saturday night (some thursdays, etc) in my 20's. I was never and am still not even close to an alcoholic. I'm glad I got it all out of my system. I recall a story about a woman who chastised Ray Floyd for being drunk, and his reply was that he was "just a man". Besides, isn't drinking one of the foundations that golf is built upon? This is nothing but another one of those things we get because of the age of information when the media has to find something daily, if not hourly, to write about. But at least it keeps Geoff busy! Cheers...

[vwgolfer]

This story reminds me of junior high school.

[MacDuff]

Oh great! So now Anthony Kim is the victim...

[Bif]

Why were the comments "unfortunate?" Isn't there a compliment in, "You drink like a fish, but can whip my ass?" In our group it's all positive.