Posted on 04/16/2006 10:44:55 AM PDT by sully777
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Tiger Woods has apologised for comments he made during a television interview after the U.S. Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on Sunday.
The American world number one, who tied for third place three strokes behind winner Phil Mickelson, was criticised for using the term "spaz" to describe his poor putting in the final round.
"Tiger meant nothing derogatory to any person or persons and apologises for any offence caused," Woods's agent Mark Steinberg said in a statement issued on the player's official website.
Bidding for a fifth green jacket at Augusta, Woods produced a display of uncharacteristically shaky putting on his way to a closing two-under-par 70.
He took 33 putts in the final round, including three three-putts and a pair of missed eagle putts from inside 10 feet on the back nine. Mickelson took 29 putts in a closing 69.
When asked about his play on the last day at Augusta, Woods replied: "I putted atrociously today. Once I got on the greens, I was a spaz."
In several countries, "spaz" is an offensive term for people affected with spastic paralysis, a form of cerebral palsy.
Britain-based disability organization Scope, formerly The Spastics Society, said of Woods's comments: "Once again, Tiger Woods demonstrates that we are two nations divided by a common language.
"Although in the U.S. the term "spaz" may not be as offensive as it is here in the UK, many disabled people here will have taken exception to his likening a golf stroke to that of 'a spaz'.
"UK disability charity Scope is confident that Tiger Woods would be devastated to learn that something he said could offend his fans, disabled or non-disabled."
Wood's remark drew little attention in the U.S. where "spaz" is a slang term for someone considered clumsy or inept.
Ya gotta admit, it was a really retarded thing to say.
I think I've heard it all now. Can we possibly become any more PC?
Some people are pre-disposed to be offended. It validates them, somehow.
There are remarks you should apologize for, and remarks that, maybe you shouldn't have said it publicly, but oh well.
Fuzzy Zoeller couldn't be reached for comment, I suppose...
Freddie Couples putt much more like a spaz than Tiger last Sunday, but after the round said he "didn't putt too badly." Now THAT (dishonesty) was offensive.
PC gone crazy...again.
Has he ever apologized for screaming cuss words? I heard him swear three times during the final round of the Masters (I think ... one of the Majors) last year. That's way worse than Janet Jackson in my book.
Not to get on Tiger. He's a good fellow. But this is ridiculous!
Gee, I don't seewhere Tiger apologized. I see where someone purporting to speak for him did. I really doubt Tiger gave it a thought.
For crying out loud! Grow up world! He meant nothing in that remark.
Yeah, what a window licker!
Who exactly would be offended by "spaz"? Is there a Spaz Union? United Coalition of Spazzes? Parents of Teenage Spaz Junkies? I'm trying to understand just what imaginary minority this term is supposed to embrace.
I didn't know he had to live up to some swear word standard.... oh, my... let's follow all Americans around and count how many times they cuss during the day... and then write about them on Free Republic.
By this standard, no one in the UK should be able to refer to cigarettes as 'fags'
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.