Associated Press
SHANGHAI ó Golfís top two tour chiefs and Adam Scott feel the same way about the racial remark that caddie Steve Williams used to disparage Tiger Woods.
Thereís no place for racism in sport or anywhere else. It was right for Williams to apologize, and that was enough for them to consider the case closed without taking action. Time to move on.
In this case, it could be moving from Shanghai to Sydney ó and it figures to be open for discussion.
Even as PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem and European Tour chief executive George OíGrady issued a statement, Scott was grilled anew Sunday after the final round of the HSBC Champions on whether Williams will stay on his bag.
ěAbsolutely,î Scott said.
Williams was roasted at a caddies award party for the exuberant TV interview he gave on the 18th green of the Bridgestone Invitational right after Scott won. Asked about the interview, he replied, ěIt was my aim to shove it up that black aóóó.î
The Bridgestone was two weeks after Woods had fired Williams.
The comment, while said at a private gathering in which all comments were considered off the record, quickly spread after a caddie shared what was said to a group of British reporters who were not there and not bound by the agreement.
Finchem and OíGrady said they spoke for the International Federation of PGA Tours that it ěfeels strongly there is no place for any form of racism in ours or any other sport.î
ěWe consider the remarks of Steve Williams, as reported, entirely unacceptable in whatever context,î the statement said. ěWe are aware that he has apologized fully and we trust we will not hear remarks ever gain. Based on this, we consider the matter closed, and we will have no further comment.î
NBA
NEW YORK ó NBA players could have a choice Saturday: Accept a 50-50 division of basketball-related income or risk having more owners join the hardline faction that wants a 53-47 split in its favoró and a hard salary cap.
There were many hardline owners who want a deal at 53-47 in their favor as well as a hard cap, and that the rest wouldn’t go beyond a 50-50 split. Players have been seeking 52.5 of revenues in their favor.
THOME-PHILLIES
PHILADELPHIA ó Jim Thome wants his second stint in Philadelphia to come with the World Series title he missed the first time around.
Thome agreed to a $1.25 million, one-year contract with the Phillies on Saturday, returning to the franchise for a second time.
The 41-year-old Thome hit .256 with 15 home runs and 50 RBI in a combined 93 games with the Minnesota Twins and Cleveland Indians last season. He batted .350 with runners in scoring position and .424 over his final 11 games of the season.
“Every player sees the way the Phillies have done things,” Thome said. “They’ve set the bar very, very high.”
Thome played for Philadelphia from 2003-05 and has remained close with Phillies manager Charlie Manuel, his hitting coach for several years in Cleveland.