OT: Tiger Woods fined for spitting on green

Submitted by Durham Blue on

http://sports.espn.go.com/golf/news/story?id=6120498

Ewen Murray, a commentator for Britain's Sky Sports, said on air after seeing Woods spit on the second tee during the second round that it was "one of the ugliest things you will ever see on a golf course."

"The Euro Tour is right -- it was inconsiderate to spit like that and I know better," Woods said on Twitter. "Just wasn't thinking and want to say I'm sorry."

Ridiculous, IME.  If Ewen Murray is so disgusted by it then he better steer clear of any hockey, baseball, football or soccer games.

EDIT -- Video of the incident:

http://www.aolnews.com/2011/02/14/tiger-woods-spitting-in-dubai-video/

kevin holt

February 14th, 2011 at 4:14 PM ^

My dad didn't let me briskly walk, let alone run, let alone spit on any green. Even the $5 courses and such. My mom thinks stepping in someone's line is a capital offense, even if said line is 45 feet and uphill

But really, the ugliest thing you've seen on a golf course? I'd much rather someone spit than throw/break/drown a club or smash one. I'm sure someone has done something with a club on a green that would be a lot harder for future putters.

Admittedly, I put the tip of a putter through a green surface by accident after a bad miss. It went through cleanly though

erik_t

February 14th, 2011 at 4:44 PM ^

It's unbelievable how myopic and naval-gazing people can be sometimes. It was something Woods should avoid, but lowest of the low? Come on.

MWW6T7

February 14th, 2011 at 4:48 PM ^

Good thing that pissy pants announcer was not at this event.  He would have tried to pin this on Tiger and have his card taken away.  This was one of the funniest things I've seen my long time watching golf.  Tiger wants to get mad but all he can do is laugh. 

 

 

King Douche Ornery

February 14th, 2011 at 4:54 PM ^

That golf is NOT a sport. You can say it is, you can scream up and down and rant all day about it.

But if you can't spit, if the media has a meltdown if you swear, and if you are the kind of "guy" that OUTS YOURSELF FOR cheating or a mistake--AND if some lame arse clown watching the event on TELEVISION can call in when he sees you breaking a rule (and it's usually something very obscure, like you can't wipe your nose with a hankie on the 6th green at Uppity Honkey CC in Dork Pines, Arkysaw), then

IT IS NOT A SPORT.

Section 1

February 14th, 2011 at 9:41 PM ^

Sometimes, some of you guys push "supidity" over the edge.

In the next two months, the most famous Michigan Wolverine in the world is going to be a golfer.  Michigan's own U.S. Amateur Public Links Champion, Lion Kim.  Lion, by virtue of his USGA National Championship, is headed to the Augusta National Golf Club, to play in the Masters Tournament.  Where he will be watched by about a billion people, on worldwide HD television.

Here's Lion, being honored for his acheivement last fall, in the Big House:

gbdub

February 14th, 2011 at 9:51 PM ^

So what does that make football, where you get a penalty for making an "O" shape with your hands? IT IS NOT A SPORT

Or basketball, where you can commit a foul by standing in place or back-talking the ref? IT IS NOT A SPORT

Or baseball, where everybody but the pitcher and catcher spend 90% of the game standing in place and scratching their balls? IT IS NOT A SPORT

Or hockey, where there is a precise regulation on the curvature of your stick? IT IS NOT A SPORT

That said, they're all more of a sport than sitting on an internet message board insisting that anything you dislike must be not only personally unsatifying to you, but also universally stupid.

justingoblue

February 15th, 2011 at 5:52 PM ^

"But if you can't spit, if the media has a meltdown if you swear, and if you are the kind of "guy" that OUTS YOURSELF FOR cheating or a mistake"

Hmm, so tennis isn't a sport either? How about players getting in trouble for spitting in the NFL. Give a post some thought before you write it, please.

JimLahey

February 14th, 2011 at 5:09 PM ^

Golf is basically old wasps convincing themselves that they are out getting exercise by driving around on a cart all day drinking beer and smoking cigars while they are really just as pleased as can be to get away from their nagging wives whose breasts have fallen victim to the bitch that is gravity.

Section 1

February 14th, 2011 at 5:15 PM ^

On the golf discussion boards, opinion seems to be running about 9 to 1 against Tiger.  Tiger knew it, knew it was indefensible by golf's standards, and so the Tweeted apology.  (Tiger v.2011 is apparently going to do apologies.)

I guess this is the difference between golf and other sports.  Vive la difference.

Let me know if any of you feel like you could get away with something like this, if you were a guest at Oakland Hills, Barton, the Country Club of Detroit, et cetera.

Marvin

February 14th, 2011 at 5:21 PM ^

I think all of you people are missing the point. It's the most disrespectful thing you can do. It's like disrespecting the sanctuary at church.

 

The only incident more egregious than Tiger's spitting on the green was when Ian Woosnam ejaculated into the cup at Carnoustie during the 1999 Open Championship. Apparently he was watching Mrs. Crane, the "little monkeywoman" bend over to fold her portable stool greenside. Still, Tiger's spitting was pretty horrific.

Tater

February 14th, 2011 at 7:41 PM ^

If Woods was a Euro, nobody over there would have cared.  The announcer was grasping at straws in this case and looking for an excuse to rag on Tiger.  Players spit on golf courses all of the time.  It usually isn't interpreted as "disrespectful," or "disgusting," though.  

I wonder if he will continue to think it is worth the million dollar appearance fees he is thought to get when he plays there.

gbdub

February 14th, 2011 at 9:57 PM ^

The predictable golf-bashers are missing a couple of key points:

1) All sports have rules that seem stupid and arbitrary to anyone without a pretty good understanding of the game.

2) The problem isn't that Tiger spit - Tiger, and other golfers, do it all the time (it looks pretty gross on HD television, but w/e). The problem is that he spit on the green, where his spittle could conceivably affect someone else's shot. It would be like digging a hole between first and second base, tripping a wide receiver from the sideline, or yelling BOO behind a sprinter in a starting block.

That said, the Euro announcer is over the top.

JDVan

February 15th, 2011 at 9:43 AM ^

Crazy how uptight these golf fellars are. He should not have spit on the golf course but this news story is pointless. Just a guy seeing an opportunity to put himself all over the news criticizing Woods. I’ve never been a big Woods fan but saying he’s that low for spitting is a bit much.

GordonRamsay

February 15th, 2011 at 10:37 AM ^

Whether the criticism is right or wrong, Tiger needs to realize he is in the spotlight more than ever and use better judgement.

With that being said, the announcer's description was priceless.