During his SiriusXM radio show on Wednesday morning, Tiger Woods’ former swing coach made a number of racially-charged comments about LPGA players ahead of the 74th U.S. Women’s Open this week.
On his show, Hank Haney’s co-host Steve Johnson asked him who’d win the tournament.
Haney took it from there.
“I’m gonna predict a Korean,” Haney said. “That’s gonna be my prediction. I couldn’t name you, like, six players on the LPGA Tour.”
After getting encouraged by Johnson, Haney continued making comments that sounded not only sexist but also racist.
“Nah, maybe I could,” Haney said. “Well, I’d go with Li. If I didn’t have to name a first name, I’d get a bunch of them right. I don’t know … Lexi Thompson … Michelle Wie’s hurt. I don’t know that many.”
After the comments began making the rounds, LPGA Tour member Wie, who isn’t playing right now due to a wrist injury, took Haney to task for what he said.
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
Afterward, predictably, Haney issued the standard apology.
— Hank Haney (@HankHaney) May 29, 2019
In addition to working with Woods, Haney, 63, has also worked with celebrities like Charles Barkley, Ray Romano and Adam Levine.
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