Michelle Wie blasts Hank Haney: ‘Racism and sexism are no laughing matter’
Hank Haney, the former instructor for Tiger Woods and now a host on SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio, was slammed on social media on Wednesday for comments he made about women’s golf.
One of those who fought back was Michelle Wie, the biggest name in the sport.
To open his radio show on Wednesday, Haney was reminded that the U.S. Women’s Open is this week and was asked for a prediction. Haney said, “I’m gonna predict a Korean. That’s gonna be my prediction. I couldn’t name you, like, six players on the LPGA Tour.”
“Nah, maybe I could,” Haney continued. “Well, I’d go with Lee. 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. Where are they playing, by the way?”
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Golf Channel’s Jerry Foltz was the first to call out Haney on social media, and his comments spread quickly. Wie, who Haney mentioned by name and who is off this week as she recovers from an injury, fired back at his comments.
“I don’t ever do this, but this must be called out,” Wie said.
Shame on you @HankHaney …. https://t.co/4IyrFiLcQ2
— Michelle Wie (@MichelleWieWest) May 29, 2019
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 (@MichelleWieWest) 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 (@MichelleWieWest) May 29, 2019
Other LPGA players later chimed in as well.
🤦🏼♀️🤦🏼♀️🤦🏼♀️ https://t.co/xHGPx2DqHL
— Lauren Coughlin (@LCisHOOSgolfin) May 29, 2019
What the heck 😡 https://t.co/IWPLAUNYfw
— Brittany Lincicome (@Brittany1golf) May 29, 2019
Thanks @HankHaney 💪🏼👌🏽 Shameful. https://t.co/kLAt62ofdo
— Marina Alex (@Marina_Deee) May 29, 2019
Unacceptable! https://t.co/5LvSPe5muh
— Annika Sorenstam (@ANNIKA59) May 29, 2019
The U.S. Women’s open begins on Thursday at the Country Club of Charleston. Ariya Jutanugarn is the defending champion.
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