The ongoing feud between Sergio Garcia of Spain and Tiger Woods has reached a new level after Garcia dropped a racially charged joke towards Woods.
Garcia has been at odds with Woods over what he perceives as Woods’ poor golf etiquette, following The Players Championship two weeks ago.
When asked in jest at a European tour function if he’d be inviting Tiger Woods to dinner for next month’s US Open, Sergio told Britain’s The Guardian:
“We’ll have him round every night,…We will serve fried chicken.”
Garcia later issued an apology after leaving the function
“I apologize for any offense that may have been caused by my comment on stage during the European Tour Players’ Awards dinner,..I answered a question that was clearly made towards me as a joke with a silly remark, but in no way was the comment meant in a racist manner.”
Garcia has made it well known that he’s not a fan of Woods and vice versa, but was what he said necessarily racist?
Maybe there’s a misunderstanding due to cultural differences, with Sergio being from Spain, one would think maybe he doesn’t quite grasp the depth of that stereotype and the offense it causes.
Should Sergio’s remarks be forgiven?
H/T: ESPN