Tiger apologizes after fine for spitting in Dubai

VIRGINIA WATER, England (AP) - Woods spat on the 12th green after missing a par putt on his way to a 3-over 75...

Feb 14, 2011

VIRGINIA WATER, England (AP) — Tiger Woods apologized after he was fined an undisclosed sum by the European Tour on Monday for spitting during the final round of the Dubai Desert Classic.

The tour said in a statement that tournament director Mike Stewart reviewed the matter and “feels there has been a breach of the tour code of conduct.”

“The Euro Tour is right — it was inconsiderate to spit like that and I know better,” Woods said on Twitter. “Just wasn’t thinking and want to say I’m sorry.”

Woods spat on the 12th green after missing a par putt on his way to a 3-over 75. He began the final day one shot off the lead but never recovered after making two bogeys in his first three holes.

The 14-time major winner, now ranked No. 3, finished tied for 20th place at 4-under 284. Woods has gone 17 tournaments without a win for the first time since turning professional in 1996.

The tour’s code of conduct states that when a player becomes a member he “voluntarily submits himself to standards of behavior and ethical conduct beyond those required of ordinary golfers and members of the public.” The tour said it would not disclose the amount of the fine.

Television cameras spotted Woods spitting in an earlier round in the Dubai tournament.

Ewen Murray, a commentator for Britain’s Sky Sports, said on air after seeing Woods spit on the second tee during the second round that it was “one of the ugliest things you will ever see on a golf course.”

On Sunday, after Woods spat on the 12th green, Murray said that “somebody now has to come behind him and maybe putt over his spit. It does not get much lower than that.”