Hank Haney, the golf instructor most famous for being Tiger Woods’ former coach, apologized for remarks he made about LPGA Tour golfers on his radio show Wednesday.
Haney’s co-host asked him for his thoughts on who could win this week’s U.S. Women’s Open, to which he replied, “I’m gonna predict a Korean.” Korean and Korean-American golfers make up a large portion of the LPGA Tour.
After saying he couldn’t name “six players on the LPGA Tour,” Haney added, “I’d go with Lee. If I didn’t have to name a first name, I’d get a bunch of them right.”
Haney received blowback on social media, from the likes of Michelle Wie and others, then posted an apology shortly after noon Wednesday.
“In an effort to make a point about the overwhelming success of Korean players on the tour I offended people and I am sorry,” Haney wrote in part.
— Hank Haney (@HankHaney) May 29, 2019
Wie wrote that golf fans and analysts should “celebrate (Korean players)… not mock them.”
“I don’t ever do this, but this must be called out,” Wie wrote of her criticism of Haney.
As a Korean American female golfer, these comments that @HankHaney made disappoint and anger me on so many different levels. Racism and sexism are no laughing matter Hank….shame on you. I don’t ever do this, but this must be called out. https://t.co/P18JByTosN
— Michelle Wie (@themichellewie) May 29, 2019
Too many of these girls, Korean or not, have worked countless hours and sacrificed so much to play in the US Open this week. There are so many amazing players in the field. Let’s celebrate them….Not mock them. @HankHaney https://t.co/YB25Bl9zoC
— Michelle Wie (@themichellewie) May 29, 2019
• Adam Zielonka can be reached at azielonka@washingtontimes.com.
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