19th Hole
‘He’s learned nothing’ – Olympic legend launches scathing attack on Tiger Woods over tampon apology
Away from the fight for the title, the talk at Riviera last week should have been the return of golfing legend Tiger Woods.
The 15-time major champion was odds-on to miss the cut in his first full event since walking off the course at the halfway mark during the 150th Open at St. Andrews. However, two opening rounds of 69 and 74 saw the 47-year-old defy expectation to play the weekend, a third-round 67 launching him up the board.
And yet, it wasn’t.
Tiger has been under pressure since ending his opening round, all because of what he called “friends having fun.”
During the round, sharp-eyed media spotted Tiger handing his good friend Justin Thomas a tampon – something he tried to hide but could not avoid, thanks to the zoom-in features of social media.
Sky presenter Sarah Stirk was one of a huge amount of industry figures that were disappointed with Tiger’s move.
“My overriding feelings are completely surprised and really disappointed,” said Stirk. “I’m a female working in sport, I’m passionate and love the game of golf, and think we are all striving for equality.
“We’ve all seen the massive inroads everyone is doing promoting women’s sport, there is more media exposure, increase in participation levels, we want women sport to be on a level playing field with men,” she added.
Fellow Sky Golf presenter, Iona Stephen was also critical:
A joke about being less, at the expense of women, isn’t a joke to me.
— Iona Stephen (@Iona_Stephen) February 17, 2023
National Club Golfer‘s Hannah Holden, who asked, “Can someone explain to me why this is funny?” also retweeted a posting from Flushing It that refuted the inferred claim from Tiger, that women can’t ‘flush it.”
At a time where Women’s golf is pushing on to higher and higher levels, I don’t think the “gift” that Tiger gave to JT helps golf’s image. Is it supposed to be funny because women supposedly can’t hit a ball? These players might have to say about that:
— Flushing It (@flushingitgolf) February 17, 2023
Probably the biggest negative, however, came from four-time gold-medalist sprinter Michael Johnson, who took to Twitter to call Tiger “Teflon” – saying that whatever he does, nothing sticks.
In just 43 words, the former world record holder at 200m and 400m asks why the media focus on Tiger’s recovery and “never why the need for recovery.”
It’s a damning tweet from an equally respected athlete and pulls very few punches.
Apology starting with “If I offended anyone” is no apology. But this is Tiger. Never been a leader and he’s Teflon. Still heralded after all the mistakes so he’s learned nothing. Media focus always on miraculous recovery. Never why the need for recovery. https://t.co/nFkgo3xtWo
— Michael Johnson (@MJGold) February 18, 2023
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- Paige Spiranac to take on PGA Tour legend in celebrity challenge match this Summer
- ‘That’s what everybody wants me to do’ – Is Anthony Kim about to make a sensational return to pro golf?
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Brooks Koepka, Bubba Watson and Patrick Reed all take part in this week’s LIV Golf Orlando, their own prelude to the Masters starting on April 6th.
So, of course, at Wednesday’s presser, they were asked about their preparations, what would happen if one were to win at Augusta and, naturally, about ‘Cone-gate,’ a recent incident involving Koepka, a traffic cone, and an insult hurled at NHL defenceman Aaron Ekblad.
Is that Brooks Koepka calling Ekblad a fucking traffic cone from the stands in Florida??
?: IG/floridapanthersfp pic.twitter.com/LqolbAuYYt
— Missin Curfew (@MissinCurfew) March 26, 2023
Koepka, captain of the Smash GC team, was happy to answer the reporter’s question and had his fellow LIV players intrigued by his revelations:
Q: Brooks, sort of a viral clip from last week at the Panther game, I was just curious what’s your beef with Aaron Ekblad, and did you bring the cone from home?
Brooks: I did not bring the cone. He gave up a bad goal. It was a bad pass in the third. I’m a die-hard P’s fan, and he gave up a bad goal.
Bubba: What sport is this?
Reed: Hockey.
Brooks: Really?
Yeah, it’s all right. Yeah, he gave up a bad goal I think midway through the third, and I just felt like if they didn’t win that game, they weren’t going to make the Playoffs. Dedicated fan, man.
Bubba: What is that cone he’s talking about?
Brooks: There was a cone. There was a cone that was just outside, so I —
Bubba: Were you hydrated that night?
Brooks: Yeah.
Bubba: Now we’re getting to it.
Brooks: Absolutely. Listen, I’m a die-hard fan.
Bubba: Is your shirt on or off?
Brooks: It’s on.
Bubba: I ain’t gonna look at it then.
Brooks: But I’m a die-hard fan, man. When they do something good, I’m the first one to cheer them, I’ll text these guys.
Bubba: Did you not text him?
Brooks: I didn’t text him, no. I did not.
Well, Ekblad has since responded, and told Sportsnet’s Luke Fox that he doesn’t know Koepka and that they will “never be buddies.”
Aaron Ekblad, biting his lip, says he doesn’t know Brooks Koepka: “We’re not buddies. Never be buddies.” https://t.co/fPXmRy0LXF
— luke fox (@lukefoxjukebox) March 29, 2023
More from the 19th Hole
- Pat Perez reportedly confronts journalist over ‘snarky’ comment at opening LIV event
- Paige Spiranac to take on PGA Tour legend in celebrity challenge match this Summer
- ‘That’s what everybody wants me to do’ – Is Anthony Kim about to make a sensational return to pro golf?
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With the permission of Augusta National, the field for next week’s Masters will include six former champions that made the decision to join LIV Golf.
Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed, Sergio Garcia, Bubba Watson, Charl Schwartzel and Phil Mickelson will all tee it up on 6th April, certain to show that the move to the rebel tour has not diminished their ability to still compete amongst the world’s elite.
However, Pete Cowan, coach to the likes of Rory McIlroy and Brooks Koepka, says that he is “not optimistic” about the chances of the LIV players at the first major of the year.
In an interview with The Times, the 72-year-old short-game wizard said,
“I’m not optimistic about players who aren’t playing competitively on a regular basis,”
“It’s a big deal. Like any sport, if you’re not competitively sharp you struggle.”
To put that into context, the official world’s top three players have taken part in a total of 21 events between them, with number three Jon Rahm leading the way with eight competitive outings, one ahead of the world number one Scottie Scheffler.
In contrast, 2016 US Open and 2020 Masters champion Dustin Johnson has only played two events since the turn of the year – LIV Mayakoba and LIV Tucson – and the current LIV table leader Charles Howell has done the same.
As The Times states, the most active PGA athletes will have played ‘more than double’ the number of rounds compared to their LIV counterparts come the Masters. There is concern over the level of commitment and desire to win from the LIV players, with last year’s Open Championship winner Cam Smith finishing fifth and 24th in his two outings in 2023, and DJ ranking in 35th and 13th in limited fields.
It may be that it’s money for old rope, but the incentive to appear in one of the PGA Tour’s ‘elevated’ events must also weigh heavily on those that took the big bucks to jump ship in 2022.
Cowan doesn’t slate those that went for the money, agreeing it has to be a motivating factor in sport, no matter what the public persona might say.
“Whether they say they do or not, they all play for money,” he said, before continuing
“They are selfish and they have to be to be very good players. Ask Rory how much appearance money he gets a year. They all need to get round a table because if someone is investing billions into my sport I’d be saying, ‘How can I accommodate you?'”
More from the 19th Hole
- Pat Perez reportedly confronts journalist over ‘snarky’ comment at opening LIV event
- Paige Spiranac to take on PGA Tour legend in celebrity challenge match this Summer
- ‘That’s what everybody wants me to do’ – Is Anthony Kim about to make a sensational return to pro golf?
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When high school sophomore Anna Davis won the 2022 Augusta National Women’s Amateur, everything went her way.
From charging through the field on the final day with a 69, to seeing leader Latanna Stone finish double-bogey, bogey to hand her the title, the then 16-year-old admitted, “I’m still a little shocked. I literally… I’m speechless. I can’t even fathom what just happened.”
Fast-forward 12 months and the defending champion had a completely opposite opening round, the bad day highlighted with a four-stroke penalty on her opening hole.
In the first round of the ANWA at Champions Retreat, host for the first two rounds of the 54-hole event, Davis twice lifted, cleaned and placed her ball while it was in the rough, mistakenly believing it was ‘preferred lies’ from anywhere.
Davis was then told on the 4th hole that there was a chance the committee would penalize her, but it was only after she finished her round that they confirmed she had lost four strokes, and had to sign for a 9 on hole one.
Chairman of Competition Committees James B Hyler Jr explained, “During play of her first hole, Anna Davis lifted her ball and failed to replace it on its original spot on two separate occurrences. Under Rule 9.4, Ms Davis has been penalized two strokes for each occurrence of playing from a wrong place. Her score on hole 1 will be increased from 5 to 9.”
Davis, who made four cuts from seven outings on the LPGA Tour last season, followed her opening hole with a double at the fourth hole and bogey on the next, standing at eight over par after just five holes. However, she fought back with four birdies and no dropped shots through the last 13 holes, eventually recording a four-over 76, 10 behind leader Rose Zhang.
The 17-year-old told reporters that she had checked the ruling with the group scorer. She asked if the preferred lie ruling apply all over the course and says she was told yes. “I guess he didn’t know,” Davis admitted.
“Aside from hole 1, I played pretty good today,” Davis said. “I hit a lot of shots close. The putter wasn’t really rolling, but I hit good shots.”
“I felt pretty good with my game the next 14 holes after that. I hit good shots. I just tried to forget that the 1st hole happened. All I can really do is have that give me motivation to do well tomorrow and have a good round tomorrow.
I’m playing well so I’m confident that I can do well tomorrow.”
More from the 19th Hole
- Pat Perez reportedly confronts journalist over ‘snarky’ comment at opening LIV event
- Paige Spiranac to take on PGA Tour legend in celebrity challenge match this Summer
- ‘That’s what everybody wants me to do’ – Is Anthony Kim about to make a sensational return to pro golf?
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N
Mar 11, 2023 at 3:45 pm
He’s just a d1ck. He is such a d1ck.
LBC
Mar 6, 2023 at 12:20 pm
Media outfits (which appears to be WRX included) are a lot of the cause of “victimhood”. If these WOKE woe is me nobody’s werent given the time of day then they wouldnt be heard. Which would be better for everyone.
Erik Ugland
Mar 5, 2023 at 6:14 pm
This was probably Earl Woods’ go-to joke in 1985. Tiger needs to be better (and funnier) than that.
joe Baker
Mar 2, 2023 at 9:49 pm
Come on, GolfWRX. Enough with the “gotcha” golf news. It’s becoming ridiculous. Liv, Tampon, Tiger, Reid, Rory vs Sergio, Nantz blunder, etc etc etc.
Give us a break for a moment. This is becoming the enquirer.
Jbone
Mar 2, 2023 at 4:29 pm
Somebody needs to plug her bleed hole!
Tiger please help
Peter Sallis
Feb 28, 2023 at 3:17 pm
Really dumb from Tiger as it’s a lame joke especially for a grown man in full view of the entire world, completely cringe. It was also a lame apology but the reaction from the media was completely over the top. All of the above are true lets move on.
Mike
Feb 27, 2023 at 12:39 pm
If you hold him up as a messiah that’s on you. Last I checked he’s a professional golfer and a human being.j
Jack Mehoff
Feb 26, 2023 at 7:18 pm
Maybe JT identifies as a woman. Shim needed a tampon & Tiger was providing. I’m really offended that tampons are only for “women” & men can’t use them also. I mean, like…aren’t tampons gender neutral these days!! Maybe they both use tampons bc they’ve transitioned. What a stupid article. Let it go ppl!
Erik Ugland
Mar 5, 2023 at 6:11 pm
Jack’s disappointed that his CPAC, anti-Woke comedy routine isn’t getting more likes. And nobody’s laughing at his profile name, which was the apex of hilarity in 8th grade.
Speedy
Feb 25, 2023 at 5:24 pm
Tagger Wooods, yo’ fired.
Rich Douglas
Feb 25, 2023 at 12:56 pm
Johnson nailed it. Tiger is a menace behind the wheel. Best driver in PGA Tour history, as well as the worst.
CantHitPastLadiesTees
Feb 22, 2023 at 12:20 am
This is a great reminder for those who’ve been following Tiger closely for decades, and painful introduction for the noobs, to the fact that he’sa huge nerd with a terrible sense of humor. When dude dresses to go out in public he looks like he walked off the set of friends.
By the way never forget Rory set the standard for playing for blood money backed donors (Google Jumeirah ownership) and jumping your sacred home tour to make bigger money elsewhere.
Brentsy
Feb 21, 2023 at 1:26 pm
More feigned false outrage from washed up or never were nobodies, simply hoping to see their name in print again next to Tiger’s name. And click bait for the web for pushing this as a real story. Sad all around.
N
Feb 22, 2023 at 12:39 pm
Your dad cheated on your mom. And look how you turned out
Alan Schwepps
Feb 24, 2023 at 10:53 am
Atleast he had a mom.
You were adopted…
Chipmunk exterminator
Feb 25, 2023 at 2:07 pm
N as in nonce??
Shane
Feb 21, 2023 at 12:23 pm
Why were “the women” not upset at Lydia when she openly spoke of being on her period, on a TV interview?? Get over it folks! We left a couple on every other tee box once on a guys trip to the whiners, which were in the group behind myself and 3 more clowns of the 12 we went on the trip with!
dttruman
Feb 22, 2023 at 5:45 am
I agree with this, because now it is a double standard. I heard three women talking at our course last year and one was telling the other two that her husband wouldn’t ask for directions because they were lost and both their Iphones ran out of power. And they had a good laugh.
Ooo
Feb 22, 2023 at 12:40 pm
And your mom
John
Feb 21, 2023 at 12:15 pm
I’m no great fan of Tiger’s but this was a private joke between two buddies yet everyone claims to know what the joke was. Even if those who claim the joke was a pop at woman’s golf are right, so what?! “Does your husband play?” is one of the most widely used digs between golfing buddies there is. Women say they want equality with men within the sport. What could be more equal than one of the legends of the game carrying tampons?
Rich Douglas
Feb 22, 2023 at 10:21 pm
No, not private. Tiger is a very public figure and he did this in a very public venue.
This type of rationalization is why there remains so much more work to do.
Qt
Feb 23, 2023 at 10:54 am
THIS! Well said, Rich
Oldlefty70
Feb 21, 2023 at 11:17 am
I agree that Michael Johnson and others have gone way overboard concerning Tiger’s inside joke…..still think he is a pompous, arrogant, narcissistic A–hole!
T.D.
Feb 21, 2023 at 10:54 am
All these woke clowns are the real problem with society
greg
Feb 21, 2023 at 10:53 am
There’s plenty of things about Tiger’s past personal life that were shameful. This ain’t one of them.
Michaele
Feb 21, 2023 at 10:51 am
Tiger apologized? I am disappointed in him.
Defund the thought police.
So, so sick of people on all sides of cultural and political issues telling us what we can say or think and actively trying to destroy the lives and careers of those they decide have offended their delicate sensitivities.
B
Feb 21, 2023 at 11:58 am
Let’s see what happens to the females in your family. In fact, go ask them for their history, how their lives have been
Brentsy
Feb 21, 2023 at 1:30 pm
I don’t know about the OP, but the women in my family don’t fall for this false outrage silliness.
they would think this is quite funny, they don’t need angry women or delicate effete men to tell them how to react.
david
Feb 21, 2023 at 2:58 pm
When your woke wife can fly the ball 300 yards then we’ll apologise. Although then I’d call her a man.
Jon
Feb 21, 2023 at 10:50 am
We should each send this Johnson dude a box of Tampax and a bottle Mydol.
Donnie
Feb 27, 2023 at 10:03 am
???
Sam Alexis Woods
Feb 21, 2023 at 10:39 am
My dad’s a loser
Lt. Col. Earl D Woods
Feb 25, 2023 at 2:09 pm
All leftists are utterly useless. Get a job you lazy hack
Brian
Feb 20, 2023 at 4:45 pm
I’m offended that these snowflakes are offended.
Greg
Feb 20, 2023 at 2:56 pm
Keep jogging, Michael. Tiger dominated his sport, unlike you.
Greg lives with his mom
Feb 27, 2023 at 5:52 am
Hi Greg. Michael’s bio = Olympic & World Champion. 12x? 0x? 0x? 2x? RTS TV Commentator of the Year-BBC Sport. Business Performance Speaker & Advisor
But hey, you go off Greg.
Arnold
Feb 20, 2023 at 2:54 pm
Who the cluck is Michael Johnson? Do I call you Alice or Karen?
This was a joke between 2 guys on a golf course. The rest of the world was NOT invited.
Arnold has issues
Feb 27, 2023 at 5:53 am
“The rest of the world was not invited” for a globally televised event.
There’s stupid, and then this goes way beyond that…
Logan
Feb 20, 2023 at 2:20 pm
Omg shut up…what should he do take out a full ad in The NY Times and say sorry sorry sorry…
Bill
Feb 20, 2023 at 12:46 pm
OMG.. get over yourself people! Everything and everyone is so politically correct, as if they never said or did anything to offend anyone. let me ask you people, what can you do or say to offend the white male??? It seems like they are the only non offend able group.
Loohoo
Feb 22, 2023 at 12:41 pm
Ask you mom. And your black female neighbor then lol
Common sense.
Feb 20, 2023 at 12:18 pm
Sad to see a childhood idol go woke. Rip Micheal Johnson. You’re not really the guy I hoped you were.
D
Feb 20, 2023 at 11:33 am
Well, he did slay them 128 women, learned how to do that from his pops, about how to not respect women, so whaddaya expect out of a kid? He’s still a kid. He hasn’t had to grow up in the real world, he’s only been in and around the golf course and has no idea how the world works outside of it, nobody showed him how.
And Michael, let’s just say it – the PGA Tour are ENABLERS. They let him be this way.
Bob
Feb 21, 2023 at 8:10 am
Dude. Stfu!
Brentsy
Feb 21, 2023 at 1:39 pm
LIVbots out in force on GolfWRX
Kelly
Feb 21, 2023 at 9:58 pm
D’s comment is bang on. Tiger is the biggest phony in sports. How fast they forget all the women. All the lies. The reckless driving that could have killed someone. He will never be remembered as anything other than a great golfer. Makes me laugh how soon the people forget what Tiger really is. A low life that plays golf.