Hank Haney, Tiger Woods' former instructor and current host on SiriusXM's PGA Tour Radio, made disparaging remarks about the LPGA and this week's US Women's Open, invoking sexist and racist tropes.
On the Wednesday edition of "Hank Haney Golf Radio," Haney was speaking with co-host Steve Johnson about this week's event, one of five LPGA majors and conducted by the USGA at the Country Club of Charleston in South Carolina.
The comments were transcribed by Samantha Marks of Golf Channel.
Steve Johnson: This week is the 74th U.S. Women’s Open, Hank.
Hank Haney: Oh it is?
SJ: The 74th. The 74th U.S. Women’s Open.
HH: I’m gonna predict a Korean.
SJ: [Laughs] OK, that’s a pretty safe bet.
HH: I couldn’t name you six players on the LPGA Tour. 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.
SJ: We’ve got 6 Lees.
HH: Honestly, Michelle Wie is hurt… I don’t know anybody … Where are they playing by the way?
SJ: Country Club of Charleston.
HH: That’s a good course, that’s a good course.
Haney then turned later in the conversation to the second edition of the US Senior Women's Open, conducted two weeks ago by the USGA at Pine Needles Lodge and Golf Club in Southern Pines, N.C.
Hank Haney: How many people you think attended the U.S. Senior Women’s Open, seriously? Seriously?
Steve Johnson: I couldn’t even tell you who played in it. I couldn’t even tell you who played in it or who won.
Haney is sponsored by Callaway Golf, and his show has several other sponsors, none of whom have reacted publicly to his remarks. SiriusXM and the PGA Tour have not issued public comments on Haney's comments at this point.
