HSBC Event To Anchor Fall Start?
/Alex Miceli reports that the PGA Tour is looking at making the WGC HSBC event part of a new fall start to the schedule as early as 2013.
When you come to think of it that is the secret of most of the great holes all over the world. They all have some kind of a twist. C.B. MACDONALD
Alex Miceli reports that the PGA Tour is looking at making the WGC HSBC event part of a new fall start to the schedule as early as 2013.
So, let me get this straight. The PGA Tour does not comment on disciplinary matters, which was reaffirmed yesterday in the Steve Williams matter. Today, the PGA Tour and European Tour Commissioners Tim Finchem and George O'Grady issue a statementsaying "We are aware he has apologised fully and we trust we will not hear such remarks again."
Iain Carter reports on the rest, which sounds like teachers scolding 5th graders:
Their statement added: "The International Federation of PGA Tours feels strongly there is no place for any form of racism in ours or any other sport.
"We consider the remarks of Steve Williams, as reported, entirely unacceptable in whatever context.
"We are aware he has apologised fully and we trust we will not hear such remarks again. Based on this, we consider the matter closed and we will have no further comment."
Doug Ferguson says Adam Scott was shown the statement after his 73 Sunday and is not concerned the story will linger.
The following week is the Presidents Cup at Royal Melbourne, where Scott and Woods - or is that Williams and Woods? - could face each other in any of the four days of competition.
Scott tried to deflect speculation that he could be walking into a frenzy Down Under.
"Hopefully, it's just for my good play rather than anything else. I don't think there's a story going forward," he said, adding that "the matter has been put to bed and I've got nothing more to talk about it with anyone. So I'm moving on."
And we do seem to have different takes on which version of a--hole was used (or was it ar--hole..inquiring minds want to know!).
When asked if he used the words "black a***hole" he initially denied using the racially motivated language: "I did not say those two words."
However, he refused to clarify exactly what he did say on stage at the event, attended by more than 100 top players, caddies and golfing officials.
"Things get taken out of context," he said.
Regarding the context, these comments from Greg Turner probably best sum things up.
However, former New Zealand No1 Greg Turner said he did not think Williams could survive the media backlash, particularly in the United States.
"I can't see this ending well. There's some things you can't get away with and this is one of them. I have been trying to think of a context that might have been acceptable but can't come up with anything. I think this is a pretty big one," he said.
Doug Ferguson, filing from Shanghai, tracks down Tiger Woods agent Mark Steinberg for comment on Steve Williams' racially provocative remarks.
Geoff Shackelford is a Senior Writer for Golfweek magazine, a weekly contributor to Golf Channel's Morning
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