By Joel Beall
It was inevitable. That doesn’t make it any less astonishing.

Last week golf instructor Hank Haney, along with co-host Steve Johnson, made remarks deemed racist and sexist regarding the U.S. Women’s Open on Haney’s eponymous radio show. Haney mockingly predicted “a Korean” would win this week’s event at Country Club of Charleston, adding he couldn’t name six players on the LPGA Tour save for those with the last name “Lee.”

The outcry was swift, with the LPGA, its stars, golf personalities and fans criticizing Haney for his insensitivity. Haney tried to clarify those comments later in the program, saying he couldn’t remember what he said. “I guess people are taking this as racially insensitive,” Haney said.” He then apologised “if I offended anyone.” The show ended with Johnson telling Haney he was not a racist, to which Haney replied, “I am definitely not a racist.” Haney later issued a longer apology to Golf Digest and on Twitter.

That acknowledgement was not enough in the eyes of the PGA Tour and SiriusXM. The entities suspended Haney from his program Thursday, issuing a statement that they were reviewing Haney’s status going forward.

For his part, Haney has been quiet since the suspension…that is, until Jeongeun Lee6 won the Women’s Open on Sunday. That gave Haney all the ammo he needed to fire back at his critics.

My prediction that a Korean woman would be atop the leaderboard at the Women’s US Open was based on statistics and facts. Korean women are absolutely dominating the LPGA Tour. If you asked me again my answer would be the same but worded more carefully.

— Hank Haney (@HankHaney) June 2, 2019

Whatever Haney’s intentions were—vindication, exoneration, self-effacement—the messages received, at best, a mixed reception. Especially given Haney misspelt Lee6’s first name.

Though some offered replies of support and agreement, most deemed Haney’s tweets ignorant and obtuse, with a fair share of responses accusing Haney of unjustifiably taking a victory lap.

pic.twitter.com/OaWxHW31ci

— Martin Kelly (@MGKelly7) June 2, 2019

Doubling down eh? Bold strategy there Cotton! Let’s see how this works….

— TippedCanoe (@TippedCanoe) June 2, 2019

When you definitely meant the apology and absolutely spent the last 72 hours pondering the ways in which your words were both racist and lazily ignorant https://t.co/VZRwBYm95f

— Job W. Fickett (@jwfickett) June 2, 2019

pic.twitter.com/SciEP60fNM

— 3Wiggle (@WiggleThree) June 2, 2019

You got it right Hank! We’ve got your back, will listen wherever you’re broadcasting.

— Miguel Costelanez (@mjcostel27) June 2, 2019

Wherever one sits on this spectrum, it’s abundantly clear this controversy will not end with Lee6’s triumph in Charleston.

The post Hank Haney weighed in on a Korean named Lee winning the U.S. Women’s Open. It didn’t go perfectly appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Joel Beall
Golf instructor Hank Haney was forced to address accusations of making racist, sexist comments on his radio show Wednesday afternoon ahead of the U.S. Women’s Open.

Haney, speaking with co-host Steve Johnson on Haney’s eponymous program on SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio, mockingly predicted “a Korean” would win this week’s event at Country Club of Charleston, adding he couldn’t name six players on the LPGA Tour save for those with the last name “Lee.”

Below is the transcript of the conversation:

Steve Johnson: “Hank, the 74th U.S. Women’s Open…yeah.”

Hank Haney: “I’m going to predict a Korean.”

Johnson: “Okay.” (laughter)

Haney: “Okay.”

Johnson: “Pretty safe bet.” (Laughter)

Haney: “That’s going to be my prediction…I couldn’t name you, like, six players on the LPGA Tour.”

Johnson: “Yeah.”

Haney: “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…Yeah, I don’t know.”

Johnson: “You’ve got six Lee’s.”

Haney: “Honestly, Michelle Wie’s hurt…I don’t know anybody…where are they playing, anyway?”

The outcry was swift on social media, which included a statement from Wie, who is missing this week’s Open due to injury.

“As a Korean American female golfer, these comments that @HankHaney made disappoint and anger me on so many different levels,” Wie said. “Racism and sexism are no laughing matter Hank….shame on you. I don’t ever do this, but this must be called out.”

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

Well said @themichellewie Wiesy! Shame on you @HankHaney and Steve Johnson. @PGATOUR if you’re truly serious about supporting the @lpga and growing the game these two morons won’t have a voice anymore! https://t.co/2hvZoBE4Tn

— Karrie Webb (@Karrie_Webb) May 29, 2019

Unacceptable! https://t.co/5LvSPe5muh

— Annika Sorenstam (@ANNIKA59) May 29, 2019

Shame on you @HankHaney …. https://t.co/4IyrFiLcQ2

— Michelle Wie (@themichellewie) May 29, 2019

???

— Brittany Lincicome (@Brittany1golf) May 29, 2019

Haney tried to clarify those comments later in the program, saying he couldn’t remember what he said.

“I guess people are taking this as racially insensitive,” Haney remarked.” He then apologized “if I offended anyone.” The show ended with Johnson telling Haney he was not a racist, to which Haney replied, “I am definitely not a racist.”

Golf Digest reached out to Haney for further comment and he replied with the following response via text:

”This morning I made some comments about women’s professional golf and its players that were insensitive and that I regret. In an effort to make a point about the overwhelming success of Korean players on the tour I offended people, and I am sorry. I have the biggest respect for the women who have worked so hard to reach the pinnacle of their sport, and I never meant to take away from their abilities and accomplishments. I’ve worked in this game with men and women players from many different cultures, and I look forward to continuing to doing so.”

Haney is best known for coaching Tiger Woods from 2004 to 2010, and for the Golf Channel TV show “The Haney Project.” He is also a longtime Golf Digest contributing teacher.

The post Golf instructor Hank Haney criticised for disparaging comments about U.S. Women’s Open appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.