Los Angeles: Veteran golf coach Hank Haney hit back at criticism from Tiger Woods following his own remarks about women’s golf which triggered uproar.
Haney was suspended from his SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio show last week after comments about the US Women’s Open field which were branded ‘racist and sexist’ by golf star Michelle Wie.
Several women’s players joined the condemnation of Haney’s remarks, while Woods, a former student of Haney’s, also backed his suspension, saying the instructor had ‘got what he deserved’.
“Just can’t look at life like that,” Woods told reporters.
In a post on Twitter Tuesday, however, Haney responded angrily to the criticism from his former student.
“Amazing how @tigerwoods has become the moral authority on issues pertaining to women,” Haney wrote.
“I spent 6 great years coaching Tiger, and not one time did he ever hear me utter one sexist or racist word,” he continued, before alluding to the former world number one’s 2009 sex scandal. “Now, in addition to being a 15-time major champion, I guess he thinks he’s also a mind reader? #glasshouses.”
Haney had earlier apologised for his comments, in which he professed ignorance of the LPGA Tour after being asked by co-host Steve Johnson who might win the US Women’s Open.
“I’m gonna predict a Korean,” Haney said. “I couldn’t name you like six players on the LPGA tour. Nah, maybe I could — well, I’d go with Lee. If I didn’t have to name a first name, I’d get a bunch of them right.” Haney later said the victory of Lee6 Jeong-eun in Charleston Sunday had vindicated his position.
“My prediction that a Korean woman would be atop the leaderboard at the Women’s US Open was based on statistics and facts,” Haney said. “Korean women are absolutely dominating the LPGA Tour. “If you asked me again my answer would be the same but worded more carefully.”
AFP
