Tiger Woods apologises for spitting in Dubai event

Tiger Woods has apologised for the spitting incident that cost him a fine at the Dubai Desert Classic.

Woods spat on the ground, a few feet from the hole, after missing a putt at the 12th in his final round on Sunday.

The former world number one breached the European Tour’s code of conduct and will be fined an undisclosed sum.

“It was inconsiderate to spit like that and I know better. Just wasn’t thinking and want to say I’m sorry,” Woods wrote on his Twitter account.

He also tweeted: “Everyone was terrific all week, fans especially. Dubai is always a fantastic host. Just wish the week could have ended better.”

The 35-year-old was caught on camera spitting at other times during the event and he was also heard swearing.

News of the fine came almost a year after Woods spoke of the need to “make my behaviour more respectful of the game”.

His closing round of 75 in Dubai was his worst finish in a regular European Tour event and he has now gone more than 14 months without a title.

The 14-time major winner looked set for a grandstand finish after heading into the final day one shot off the pace.

But he fell away in the windy conditions, finishing seven shots behind eventual winner Alvaro Quiros.
Tiger Woods
Woods carded four bogeys and one double bogey in his final-round 75

Woods, whose last tournament win came at the Australian Masters in December 2009, said afterwards: “There were quite a few positives this week…also a couple of glaring examples of what I need to work on.”

The spitting incident was reviewed by tournament director Mike Stewart, who ruled that it breached the Tour’s code of conduct.

“Consequently Tiger Woods will be fined,” a Tour statement read.

Officials will now write to Woods’s management team giving details of the fine, which he has seven days to appeal. Fines for minor breaches of the code range from £250 to £10,000, although in this case the exact amount is unlikely to be publicly disclosed.

The Tour’s code of conduct states that when a player becomes a member, he “voluntarily submits himself to standards of behaviour and ethical conduct beyond those required of ordinary golfers and members of the public”.