Sports

Tiger blasts Garcia for ‘fried chicken’ slur, calls it ‘wrong, hurtful;’ Sergio apologizes again

Spain's Sergio Garcia today during the PRO/AM tournament at the Wentworth Club.

Spain’s Sergio Garcia today during the PRO/AM tournament at the Wentworth Club. (AP)

NO LOVE LOST: Sergio Garcia (left) — who has had a series of run-ins with Tiger Woods — said he “apologized for any offense that might have been caused” for saying he would serve fried chicken at a dinner for Woods. (Getty Images)

A contrite Sergio Garcia sat before reporters in a hastily-called press conference Wednesday in England and issued a public apology for racist comments he made about Tiger Woods on Tuesday night.

Garcia, whose feud with Woods became highly public and reached a boiling point two weeks ago when they clashed at The Players Championship, where they were paired together in the third round, was jokingly asked at a European Tour awards dinner, if he would invite Woods for dinner during the U.S. Open.

Trying to deliver a funny respond, Garcia said, “We will have him ‘round every night. We will serve fried chicken.”

That remark understandably ignited a firestorm because of its racist connotations and led to Garcia’s apology on Wednesday.

“To start with … I didn’t mean to offend anyone,’’ Garcia said. “I was obviously was caught off-guard by the question, but I understand that my answer was totally stupid and out of place. I can’t say sorry enough about that.

“I’d also like to say sorry to the European Tour and my Ryder Cup teammates for taking the shine away from what was a wonderful players’ awards dinner that we all thoroughly enjoyed until that moment.

“Obviously, finally and most importantly I want to apologize to Tiger and anybody that I could have offended by the comment that I made and just say that I feel sick about it and I’m truly, truly sorry and I hope that we can kind of settle things down and hopefully move on.’’

Asked if he reached out to Woods to apologize in person, Garcia said, “I don’t have his phone number, but I called Mark Steinberg, his manager. He didn’t pick up, but I left him a message telling him that I was very sorry, that I would love to talk to them as soon as possible and make sure that everything is OK, tell them how sorry I am and that it was a bad comment that shouldn’t have been said.’’

After hearing the Garcia barbs from the awards dinner but before the Garcia apology, Woods took to Twitter to express his views on the topic, writing, “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.’’

Garcia insisted that his remark “wasn’t meant that way,’’ referring to being racially insensitive, saying, “I was caught off guard by what seemed to be a funny question and I tried to give a funny answer that came out totally wrong. I can’t apologize enough times.

“As soon as I left the dinner, I started getting a sick feeling in my body. I didn’t sleep at all last night, felt like my heart was going to come out of my body. I’ve had this sick feeling all day. Unfortunately, I said it. I wish I didn’t do it, but the only thing I can do is say sorry.’’

Asked if it is possible he can mend his fractured relationship with Woods by reaching out and apologizing in person, Garcia said, “Hopefully. I think so. I’m terribly sorry about what happened and I’m sure I will be able to talk soon (to him) and I’ll apologize to him face-to-face and move forward and kind of forget about the whole thing.’’

Interestingly, Garcia said he was not aware of the similarly-insensitive Fuzzy Zoeller comments made about Woods at the 1997 Masters until he was informed Wednesday.

“I didn’t know about that,’’ Garcia said. “I was made notice of it today. It was in ’97; I was only 17 years old.’’

After Woods won the Masters in 1997, Zoeller said, “You pat him on the back and say congratulations and enjoy it and tell him not serve fried chicken next year (at the annual champion’s dinner). Got it? Or collard greens or whatever the hell they serve.”

Zoeller was skewered so severely after making those off-handed comments that his career was never the same again and, more importantly, he lost many sponsor because of the incident.

It is too early to tell what the sponsorship backlash might be with Garcia in light of this incident.

His most prominent and highest-paying sponsor is TaylorMade-adidas Golf. He plays TaylorMade equipment and wears adidas apparel.

The company issued this statement on Wednesday: “Sergio Garcia’s recent comment was offensive and in no way aligns with TaylorMade-adidas Golf’s values and corporate culture. We have spoken with Sergio directly and he clearly has regret for his statement and we believe he is sincere. We discussed with Sergio that his comments are clearly out of bounds and we are continuing to review the matter.’’

Asked what he believes the reaction backlash will be in America, Garcia said, “I don’t know. I wish I could answer that, but that doesn’t depend on me, so the only thing I can do is say sorry.’’

Garcia said he considered withdrawing from the BMW PGA Championship in Wentworth, England, where the dinner too place Tuesday, but opted not to do so.

“Well, if you asked me this morning, I might have (withdrawn),’’ he said. “I feel like maybe my mind is not in the greatest place at the moment, but I feel like the tournament deserves to have me. The tournament has nothing to do with it; it was all on me. I want to go out there (Thursday) and Friday and give everything I have. I’ll try my hardest to do well and make sure the people can enjoy watching me play.’’

It is believed the next time Garcia and Woods will play in a tournament together will be at the U.S. Open next month at Merion.