The beef between pro golfers Sergio Garcia and Tiger Woods has a new twist following Garcia’s attempt at comedy Tuesday night. Garcia was jokingly asked if he’d invite Tiger over for dinner during the US Open, Sergio said:
“We will have him ’round every night. We will serve fried chicken.”
Ironically, there is a history between Tiger Woods and “fried chicken” and it has nothing to do with whether Tiger enjoys it in his own home.
Back in 1997 after Tiger won the Masters, pro golfer Fuzzy Zoeller made a similar joke about Tiger Woods and chicken.
“So you know what you guys do when he gets in here? Pat him on the back, say congratulations, enjoy it. And tell him not to serve fried chicken next year …. or collared greens or whatever the hell they serve.”
A few days after that, Zoeller made a watermelon reference with black pro golfer, Victor McBride.
This sparked a massive conversation about race and professional golf. Zoeller lost endorsement deals but eventually recovered and was able to play with the seniors. But back in 1997, it took a week before CNN released the video footage of the incident. That’s how sensitive the climate was during that time.
Sergio Garcia had already issued an apology by Tuesday night, and held the obligatory press conference Wednesday morning to further discuss the incident. In our lightening fast society, does his apology really mean anything? Is it likely to change how he feels? Probably not. But the potential that it could impact his bottom line might have fueled the quick back pedal.
Tiger issued his thoughts via Twitter.
“The comment that was made wasn’t silly. It was wrong, hurtful and clearly inappropriate … I’m confident that there is real regret that the remark was made. The Players ended nearly two weeks ago and it’s long past time to move on and talk about golf.”
My only observation is, where is the funny between Tiger Woods and chicken? Now had he mentioned blondes… that would’ve been funny.
