Tiger Woods tweeted Wednesday about a “fried chicken” joke that Sergio Garcia had made. (Richard Heathcote/Getty Images Sport)

Tiger Woods tweeted Wednesday morning that a “fried chicken” remark made by rival Sergio Garcia was inappropriate, but he believes that Garcia regrets the attempted joke.

Garcia was at an awards dinner Tuesday when he was jokingly asked whether he would have Woods — with whom he recently feuded at The Players Championship — over for dinner.

“We will have him round every night,” Garcia said, according to a report in The Guardian. “We will serve fried chicken.”

Garcia later apologized and said the question “was clearly made towards me as a joke with a silly remark, but in no way was the comment meant in a racist manner.”

Woods rejected that explanation but called for the golf community to move forward in a series of tweets.

The comment that was made wasn’t silly. It was wrong, hurtful and clearly inappropriate…

— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) May 22, 2013

I’m confident that there is real regret that the remark was made.

— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) May 22, 2013

The Players ended nearly two weeks ago and it’s long past time to move on and talk about golf.

— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) May 22, 2013

Later on Wednesday morning, Garcia apologized again at a press conference. “My answer was totally stupid and out of place,” Garcia said. “I feel sick about it.”

Vijay Singh revealed in a Sports Illustrated article he had used deer antler spray. (David Cannon/Getty Images)

Vijay Singh has sued the PGA Tour for damaging his reputation during its handling of his doping case, according to The New York Times.

Singh’s lawsuit claims the PGA relied on WADA’s list of banned substances rather than doing its own research on whether banned substances provide any performance-enhancing benefits.

“I am proud of my achievement, my work ethic and the way I live my life,” Singh said in a statement. “The PGA Tour not only treated me unfairly, but displayed a lack of professionalism that should concern every professional golfer and fan of the game.”

Singh revealed in a Sports Illustrated article in January that he had used deer-antler spray containing IGF-1, a substance on the PGA Tour’s list of banned substances and anti-doping policy.

The lawsuit said the tour notified Singh on Feb. 19 that he was to be suspended for 90 days. He also seeks damages after the tour held Singh’s earnings — $99,980 from five tournaments — in escrow during his appeal.

The PGA announced it was dropping its case against Singh on April 30 after the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) changed its stance on the questioned substance.

“He’s looking to reclaim his reputation and hold the tour accounting for acting irresponsible,” said Jeffrey Rosenblum, one of Singh’s lawyers. “He’s concerned about his reputation. There should never be an asterisk next to Vijay’s name.”

The PGA had no comment.

“We have not seen the lawsuit, just the statement,” PGA Tour spokesman Ty Votaw said. “We have no comment.”

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Tiger Woods said he wouldn’t call in a rules violation from home. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

For Tiger Woods, getting busted with a two-shot penalty at the Masters after an illegal drop was just part of the rules and it led to chatter about whether spectators should call in rules violations.

Woods said he doesn’t see himself calling in and letting officials know about a violation.

The two-shot penalty came in the second round at the 15th hole and eventually led to him being out of contention during the weekend. He began the third round five shots behind and finished four strokes behind winner Adam Scott. This week, Woods is at the Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass, which starts Thursday.

“I don’t ever see myself calling in and saying that Kobe (Bryant) traveled or things like that. … or some offensive lineman held,” Woods said Tuesday at TPC Sawgrass, via ESPN.com. “But it’s our sport, and that’s what we’ve accepted. Certain groups are going to get more heat than others just because they’re on TV. It is what it is.”

“I had a lot of momentum going at that time,” he said. “I think I was tied for the lead with Fred (Couples) and I thought I’d stuffed it in there and I thought it was going to be a birdie and I could take the lead there and maybe sneak one in on the final three holes and basically start building a lead in the tournament. And it kind of turned the other way with a good shot.”

Vijay Singh admitted to using a banned substance in deer antler spray in January. (Harry How/Getty Images)

The PGA Tour has dropped the matter of Vijay Singh using a banned substance after the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) changed its stance on the questioned substance.

Singh revealed in a Sports Illustrated article in January that he had used deer-antler spray containing IGF-1, a substance on the PGA Tour’s list of banned substances and anti-doping policy.

The PGA Tour’s statement includes:

There is no test for IGF-1 currently available in routine blood testing.  However, the PGA TOUR Anti-Doping Policy provides that an admission to the use of a prohibited substance is a violation of the policy even if there is no positive drug test. After confirming the presence of IGF-1 in the deer antler spray product provided to the TOUR by Mr. Singh through tests at the WADA-approved UCLA laboratory, the TOUR proceeded with the matter as a violation of the PGA TOUR Anti-Doping Policy, and a sanction was issued. Mr. Singh subsequently appealed the sanction under the PGA TOUR Anti-Doping Program guidelines. During the appeal process, PGA TOUR counsel contacted WADA to confirm a number of technical points.

At that time, WADA clarified that it no longer considers the use of deer antler spray to be prohibited unless a positive test results. Indeed, on April 30, WADA subsequently provided written confirmation to the TOUR that:

“In relation to your pending IGF-1 matter, it is the position of WADA, in applying the Prohibited List, that the use of “deer antler spray” (which is known to contain small amounts of IGF-I) is not considered prohibited.

Greg Norman pointed to the PGA Tour’s lack of action in Singh’s case while calling golf’s anti-doping procedures “disgraceful” on Monday.

Singh issued a statement the week of the Sports Illustrated article:

“While I have used deer-antler spray, at no time was I aware that it may contain a substance that is banned under the PGA Tour Anti-Doping Policy. In fact, when I first received the product, I reviewed the list of ingredients and did not see any prohibited substances. I am absolutely shocked that deer-antler spray may contain a banned substance and am angry that I have put myself in this position. I have been in contact with the PGA Tour and am cooperating fully with their review of this matter. I will not be commenting further at this time.”

Vijay Singh update: Given change by WADA re deer antler spray (use no longer prohibited), TOUR is dropping case against Singh.—
Brian Wacker (@pgatour_brianw) April 30, 2013

From Augusta.com

Tiger Woods’ 15th-hole penalty drop during the second round of the Masters on Friday stirred up controversy throughout the final two days of the tournament.

After his third shot from 87 yards out hit the pin and caromed into the water, Woods chose to take a one-shot penalty and play his fifth shot from the area of his original shot, resulting in a putt for bogey.

But many have questioned whether he dropped the ball in the correct spot, leading Augusta National officials to review the play.

The Augusta Chronicle posted the above side-by-shot photo that appears to show Woods did indeed drop the ball in the same spot.

From the Huffington Post:

At question is whether that violates Rule 26-1, which states that the ball should be dropped as nearly as possible to the spot where it was last played.

If it’s determined that Woods took his drop in the wrong spot, the penalty is two strokes. He could face disqualification for signing an incorrect score.

“I went back to where I played it from, but went two yards further back and I tried to take two yards off the shot of what I felt I hit,” Woods said Friday after he signed for a 71, leaving him three shots out of the lead. “And that should land me short of the flag and not have it either hit the flag or skip over the back. I felt that was going to be the right decision to take off four (yards) right there. And I did. It worked out perfectly.”

Tiger Woods and Lindsey Vonn are now dating. (Tiger Woods’ Facebook)

Tiger Woods and Lindsey Vonn used social media on Monday to announce the two are officially dating. In a post on Woods’ Facebook account, the couple posed for photos attached with a post announcing the two are now “dating” and want to “continue our relationship, privately, as an ordinary couple and continue to compete as athletes.”

Vonn also took to her Facebook account to make the relationship official.

I guess it wasn’t a well-kept secret but yes, I am dating Tiger Woods. Our relationship evolved from a friendship into something more over these past few months and it has made me very happy. I don’t plan on addressing this further as I would like to keep that part of my life between us, my family and close friends. Thank you for understanding and your continued support! xo LV

Woods also tweeted out to his followers about his new relationship with the Olympic Gold medalist.

Just posted some pictures of @Lindseyvonn and me on Facebook facebook.com/Tiger—
Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) March 18, 2013

Tiger Woods reportedly apologized to U.S. Ryder Cup rookies. (Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Tiger Woods apologized privately to the U.S. Ryder Cup team’s rookies after the Americans failed to hold a big lead according to Golf Channel contributor Tim Rosaforte.

Appearing on “Morning Drive,” Rosaforte revealed, “Brandt [Snedeker] shared with me (at his fundraiser in Memphis) that Tiger got all the rookies in a room, closed the door and personally apologized to everyone for not doing more, for not getting the points he needed to get to get a U.S. victory. For people who don’t think Woods really cares, whenever that turn or that pivot occurred in his career, it has fully turned.”

Europe retained the Ryder Cup, 14 ½ to 13 ½, after a miraculous comeback in Sunday singles. Woods was sent out in the 12^th and final inconsequential match against Francesco Molinari after the Europeans had already clinched the Cup.

Woods, who finished 0-3-1 in this year’s Cup play, reportedly struggled through a sleepness night following Europe’s victory.

Phil Mickelson will attempt a $1 million shot at an NFL game. (David Cannon/Getty Images)

Four-time major winner Phil Mickelson will attempt a $1 million “KPMG Chip4Charity” shot at halftime of the Monday Night Football game on Oct. 15, when the San Diego Chargers host the Denver Broncos at Qualcomm Stadium, according to a press release.

At stake for the 100-yard shot is as much as $1 million for First Book, a non-profit organization which provides new books for children in need.  Mickelson will be located in one end zone, aiming for a target in the other end zone, which will have a green ($50,000/20,000 books) and three rings ranging from $100,000/40,000 books (outer most ring) to $1 million/400,000 books (bulls eye center ring).

Tiger Woods will not have to pull out his driver on Saturday morning at Medinah, as he sits out a Ryder Cup session for the first time in his career.

“We just don’t want guys to be worn out,” U.S. captain Davis Love III said, according to Steve DiMeglio of USA Today. “We need Tiger and Steve (Stricker) in the afternoon. We need Tiger and Steve on Sunday. I think Tiger needs a rest. Steve needs a rest. I need a rest. And, you know, it’s a team effort, and Tiger and Steve are very supportive friends of mine.

“They told me they would do whatever I asked them to do, and I can guarantee you, neither one of them are very happy about it. Not because they are sitting out; because they have to wait till (Saturday) afternoon to come back.”

Love will send out the teams of Webb Simpson and Bubba Watson, Keegan Bradley and Phil Mickelson, Jason Dufner and Zach Johnson, and Jim Furyk and Brandt Snedeker for Saturday’s foursomes matches.

Rory McIlroy placed his Northern Ireland house on the market. (Warren Little/Getty Images)

Is PGA Championship winner Rory McIlroy literally giving the golf world a sign that he’s moving from Northern Ireland — and possibly to Florida?

The Independent reports McIlroy’s luxury home at Moneyreagh in the hills above Belfast is for sale with a £2 million ($3.2 million U.S.) asking price. The 14-acre property includes a five-bedroom house, gymnasium and a practice area with a putting green and driving range.

The house is linked to McIlroy’s tabloid-friendly relationships with former live-in Holly Sweeney and current girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki, a tennis star who recently showed off her own underwear line.

McIlroy’s realtor expects great interest in the property.

Michael Rodgers, a partner at Rodgers & Brown, the Holywood, Co Down, firm of estate agents which is handling the sale, said: “I would say interest in the house will be extremely good, both locally and potentially worldwide. We will have to wait and see.”

The “For Sale” sign might be McIlroy’s unofficial exit sign for Northern Ireland.

The sale will heighten speculation that McIlroy will now seek to live abroad permanently, possibly Florida – especially after he caused public controversy in Northern Ireland and the Republic earlier this month when he indicated he would play golf for Team GB in the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Condoleezza Rice is one of Augusta National’s first female members. (Stan Badz/Getty Images)

Augusta National Golf Club Chairman Billy Payne announced Monday the club will admit its first female members: former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and business executive Darla Moore.

The news was first reported by the Associated Press. The USA Today has more details.

After three quarters of a century, women will be included on the membership rolls of Augusta National Golf Club, one of the most exclusive clubs in the world and the host of the Masters.

“This is a joyous occasion as we enthusiastically welcome Secretary Condoleezza Rice and Darla Moore as members of Augusta National Golf Club,” Payne said in a statement. “We are fortunate to consider many qualified candidates for membership at Augusta National. Consideration with regard to any candidate is deliberate, held in strict confidence and always takes place over an extended period of time. The process for Condoleezza and Darla was no different.

“These accomplished women share our passion for the game of golf and both are well known and respected by our membership. It will be a proud moment when we present Condoleezza and Darla their Green Jackets when the Club opens this fall.

“This is a significant and positive time in our Club’s history and, on behalf of our membership, I wanted to take this opportunity to welcome them and all of our new members into the Augusta National family.”

Rice, who served as secretary of state under George W. Bush, said in a statement she feels very fortunate to have “this opportunity to grow my love for this great game.”

The Nationwide Tour will soon be getting a name change.

According to multiple reports on Twitter, Web.com, a website to help small businesses improve their online presence, will become the new primary sponsor for the tour. Sports Business Journal‘s John Ourand appeared to be the first to post the news. He credited SBJ‘s Michael Smith with the information.

Web.com now replaces the Nationwide Tour and is paying $10-13M/year for the privilege. SBD Morning Buzz has all the details.

—
John Ourand (@Ourand_SBJ) June 27, 2012

Nationwide has been the primary sponsor for the PGA’s developmental tour since 2002, but it announced in 2010 that it would not seek to extend its contract when it expired. Other previous sponsors of the tour include Buy.com and Nike.

USA Today’s Steve DiMeglio reported that PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem will officially announce the sponsorship this morning.

Top-ranked amateur golfer Patrick Cantlay is turning pro and signing with Tiger Woods’ agent. (Harry How/Getty Images)

Patrick Cantlay, the top-ranked amateur golfer in the world, is turning pro after two seasons of college golf and signing with Tiger Woods’ agent, Mark Steinberg, according to multiple reports.

Cantlay, who just completed his sophomore season at UCLA, finished second in the U.S. Amateur last year and won this year’s Ben Hogan Award as the top college and amateur golfer.

He finished tied for 41st at this weekend’s U.S. Open.

Because of major changes to the PGA Tour’s qualifying school and Nationwide Tour, more underclassmen than usual are expected to turn pro this season, according to one report.

Cantlay shot the lowest-ever PGA Tour round by an amateur at last year’s Travelers Championship when he fired a 60. He will make his pro debut at the event this weekend.

Cantlay has four top-25 finishes in eight career PGA Tour starts.

The 2012 Masters Tournament Champion Bubba Watson tweeted an invitation to Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Mike Vick to join him in a round of golf.

Hey @MikeVick when we going to play some golf??? #lefties

—
bubba watson (@bubbawatson) April 09, 2012

After Watson sealed the win in the sudden-death playoff over Louis Oosthuizen, Vick tweeted to his followers, congratulating the lefty golfer on his victory.

Since turning pro in 2003, Watson has won four PGA Tour tournaments. In the final round of the Masters on Sunday, the self-taught left-hander pulled off one of the greatest recovery shots to set up a par in sudden-death, which won him his first ever Masters Tournament title.

A frustrated Tiger Woods kicked his 9-iron during the third round of the Masters, according to ESPN.com. The PGA doesn’t comment on discipline, but Woods is subject to a fine.

After consecutive poor iron shots, Woods dropped his 9-iron on the 16th tee and kicked it about 15 yards, according to the report. His reaction prompted CBS commentator and former professional Nick Faldo to quip that Woods has, “lost his game…and lost his mind.”

Woods apologized after his round for the outburst.

“Am I conscious of it? No,” Woods said, according to ESPN. “Certainly, I’m frustrated at times. I apologize if I offend anybody by that but I’ve hit some bad shots. It’s certainly frustrating at times not to hit the ball where you need to hit it.”

It remains to be seen if Woods will be fined.

FedEx Corp. signed a five-year contract extension to sponsor the PGA Tour’s playoff system, and will continue to reward the FedEx Cup champion with a $10 million dollar prize, reports Business Week.

“We’ve seen it grow, it’s become a big part of what the PGA Tour is about and it’s had the effect of pulling our season together,” Tim Finchem, PGA Tour Commissioner said. “We’re going to try to make some adjustments in the next couple years with the FedEx Cup in an even more impactful way.”

The agreement will extend FedEx’s relationship with the PGA through 2017, and will continue to offer up to $35 million in total bonus money for players throughout the competition.

This year’s FedEx Cup playoffs begin Aug. 23-26 and will end with the Tour Championship which is scheduled for Sept. 20-23.

The 22-year old Irishman Rory McIlroy is confident with the adjustment he has made to his swing, according to ESPN.

He told reporters it will ”take a couple more weeks to fully click in” but that he will “be well and truly ready” for the first major of the year at Augusta National.

McIlroy will next compete in the Accenture Match Play Championship on Monday.

McIlroy’s greatest accomplishment in his young career thus far was winning the 2011 U.S. Open by eight shots over Jason Daly.

CBS drew its highest rating in 15 years in the final-round of the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am thanks to the play of Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, according to USA Today.

The AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am drew in 5.1% of households in the 56 urban markets for overnights, up 96% from last year’s rating.

The rating was at its highest, 5.7%, between 5:30 ET and 6:00pm ET.

Mickelson won the Pebble Beach Pro-Am with three birdies and an eagle over the first six holes to pass third-round leader Charlie Wi.  Beating Woods by 11 shots in the final round, Mickelson became the ninth golfer with 40 career PGA Tour wins.

Tiger Woods said on Monday that he was hurt by his former caddy Steve Williams’ racial remarks last week, but felt that Williams is “certainly not a racist,” according to BBC.

“It was a wrong thing to say,” Woods said. “We’re moving forward. It was hurtful certainly, but life goes forward. It is a comment that shouldn’t have been made and he certainly wishes he didn’t make it.”

Woods added that he has spoken to Williams about the remark.

“We talked about it this morning, we met face-to-face, we talked it through and we have agreed it was the wrong thing to say. He did apologize,” Woods said.

Williams made headlines last week when he said that “[his] aim was to shove it right up that black arsehole” in regard to his outburst following current employer Adam Scott’s win at the WGC Bridgestone Invitational.

Williams later apologized for his comments.

“I now realize how my comments could be construed as racist,” Williams said. “That was not my intent. I apologize to Tiger and anyone else I have offended.”

Tiger Woods’ former caddy Steve Williams is back in the news, again for a comment in reference to his ex-employer. This time, however, his comment crossed the line of racial insensitivity. After being asked to explain his now-famous outburst after current employer Adam Scott won the WGC Bridgestone Invitational, Williams said in reference to Woods, according to The Telegraph: “My aim was to shove it right up that black arsehole.”

Williams first made headlines following statements he made after being fired by Woods.

“You could say I’ve wasted the last two years of my life. I’ve stuck with Tiger and been incredibly loyal,” Williams said last summer. “I’m not disappointed I’ve been fired – that’s part of the job – but the timing is extraordinary. I, along with a lot of people, lost a lot of respect for Tiger and I pointed out before his return at the Masters in 2010 that he had to earn back my respect. Through time I hope he can gain my respect back.”

After Scott’s Bridgestone Invitational win, Williams said: “I have been caddying for more than 30 years now and that is the best win of my life. A lot has been said and it is great to back it up. I back myself as a frontrunner as a caddie and I have won again.”

Williams’ latest comment, made during a dinner at the HSBC Champions tournament in Shanghai, has shaken the British press due to its proximity to soccer player John  Terry’s alleged racial comments made toward fellow player Rio Ferdinand.

Michael Jordan will not act as an assistant captain of the United States President’s Cup team when they travel to Australia later this month, according to an ESPN.com report. Jordan has decided that his duty is stateside, where, as majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats, he is involved in the ongoing NBA lockout.

“After careful consideration, it is with regret that I have decided to cancel my trip to Australia later this month for The Presidents Cup,” Jordan said in a statement. “With the NBA labor situation unsettled, as the majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats, I feel it is necessary that I remain in the country. It was an honor to have been chosen by Fred Couples to serve as a captain’s assistant. I wish Fred and the United States team the best of luck.”

Jordan was an honorary captain for Couples once before in 2009, when the Cup was played in San Francisco.

Champions Tour player John Cook will replace Jordan as assistant captain.