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Hank Haney apologizes for comments he deemed ‘insensitive’

By Max Marcovitch
May 29, 2019
Hank Haney announced that he's launching a new podcast after a lengthy suspension.
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Just hours after making degrading remarks on his radio show Wednesday, Hank Haney apologized via Twitter for comments that “were insensitive and that I regret.”

“This morning I made some comments about women’s professional golf and its players that were insensitive and that I regret. In an effort to make a point about the overwhelming success of Korean players on the tour I offended people and I am sorry,” he wrote. “I have the highest respect for the women who have worked so hard to reach the pinnacle of their sport and I never meant to take that away from their abilities and accomplishments. I’ve worked in the game with men and women players from many different cultures and I look forward to continuing to do so.”

Michelle Wie called out Hank Haney on Wednesday.
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Haney’s apology comes amid swift backlash from players, analysts and fans of the sport who took offense to his initial comments.

“I’m gonna predict a Korean (to win this week’s  U.S. Women’s Open),” he said.

Fellow golf instructor, Steve Johnson, was in studio alongside Haney. He laughed, replying “That’s a pretty safe bet.”

Haney continued: “That’s gonna be my prediction. I couldn’t name you, like, six players on the LPGA Tour… Nah, 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. I don’t know… Lexi Thompson… Michelle Wie’s hurt. I don’t know that many. Where are they playing, by the way?”

Wie was one of the first to respond on Twitter.

Two of the best female golfers of all-time, Annika Sorenstam and Karrie Webb, weighed in as well.