Hank Haney, Tiger Woods’ former swing coach, is under fire for comments he made on his Sirius XM radio show on Wednesday.
Haney’s co-host, Steve Johnson, brough up that the U.S. Women’s Open was starting on Thursday, and Haney dismissed knowing it was taking place. He then reveled in his ignorance by predicting that a Korean would win, and throwing out the last name “Lee.”
Golfchannel.com has audio of his comments and a transcript of what Haney said.
“I’m gonna predict a Korean (will win),” Haney told Johnson, who laughed.
Johnson responded, “okay, that’s a pretty safe bet.”
“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,” Haney said.
“We’ve got six ‘Lee’s (on the LPGA tour),’” Johnson said.
Hank continued: “Honestly, Michelle Wie is hurt. I don’t know anybody. Where are they playing by the way?”
Michelle Wie, mentioned by Haney in his comments, was not amused.
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
Sean Zak, golf.com writer, tweeted out this additional segment where Haney and Johnson discuss the building outcry over his comments, with a very half-hearted “if I said something that offended anyone” apology.
This was how Hank Haney and his co-host "tweeted through it" on the air. pic.twitter.com/UsdiWaRNrh
— Sean Zak (@Sean_Zak) May 29, 2019
Haney will likely have to address his stereotyping and dismissive comments a little better than that soon. Two of the last six LPGA majors have been won by a Korean player. No player with the last name “Lee” has ever won a major on the women’s tour.
