The feud between Tiger Woods and Sergio Garcia was pushed back into the forefront after Woods put it behind him last week, as both Garcia and the European Tour chief made racist comments when talking about Woods, who is focusing on the US Open coming in June.
Woods and Garcia got into it at the Players Championship when Garcia said he distracted him during a shot and now things have gotten racist, as Garcia made a joke about fried chicken, for which he was forced to apologize. Many felt it was behind after Woods said he put it there, but the European Tour Chief made things worse when he made a comment about ‘colored' athletes and now he too is on the defensive. Garcia is playing at the PGA Championship and pared in the first round.
Garcia, embroiled in a racism row with Tiger Woods this week, got by with a little help from his friends on Thursday as he battled to a level-par 72 in the PGA Championship first round. The Spaniard played alongside compatriot Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano and Britain's Luke Donald in the opening round. He said he was grateful for that and for the support of the crowd at the iconic Wentworth course on the outskirts of London.
South African veteran James Kingston led the way on 66 but most of the attention at the European Tour's flagship event was focused on Garcia following his "fried chicken" jibe at world number one Woods on Tuesday. The world number 14's effort at the last sparked a huge roar from the crowd who had also given Garcia a warm welcome on the first tee. Fourteen-times major winner Woods, whose relationship with the Spaniard has always been frosty, reacted on Twitter by saying: "The comment that was made wasn't silly. It was wrong, hurtful and clearly inappropriate".
European Tour chief executive George O'Grady also apologized on Thursday after re-opening the row by making an unfortunate comment about "colored athletes".
Just when it seemed the fuss was starting to die down, O'Grady entered the debate by giving an interview to Sky Sports television.
"The reaction was great, it was amazing," he said. "I've always been very fortunate with fans all over the world, not only here in Europe.
"I've always been very lucky with that and I'm very thankful for it," added Garcia who issued an apology on Wednesday for his jibe at Woods.
(Reuters Quotes)
