Famed instructor Hank Haney draws scorn for disparaging remarks about women's golf

Hank Haney is one of the most prominent golf instructors in the world today and is famous for his work coaching Tiger Woods. On Wednesday, he appeared on SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio and made some rather disparaging remarks against women’s golf.

Host Steve Johnson brought up this week’s U.S. Women’s Open, and that’s when things went downhill.

Hank: I couldn’t name you six players on the LPGA tour. 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.
Steve: We’ve got 6 Lee’s.
Hank: Honestly, Michelle Wie is hurt… I don’t know anybody … Where are they playing?
— Samantha Marks (@SamanthaSMarks) May 29, 2019

These comments drew scorn around the golf community, and many were of the belief that Haney displayed sexism and/or racism.

Very disappointed to hear @HankHaney completely disparage women's golf and the @LPGA on his radio show. "I couldn't name 4 players. Wait, yes I could, I'll just go with Lee," Haney said. I'm not sure if that's more racist or sexist. Shame on you Hank.
— Jerry Foltz (@JerryFoltzGolf) May 29, 2019

1. Hank Haney has a radio show?
2. Say goodbye to Hank Haney’s radio show. https://t.co/KpBVjI2ocf
— By The Flagstick (@ByTheFlagstick) May 29, 2019

https://twitter.com/giancarlomag/status/1133750672309018624

Never been a Hank Haney fan. I've always thought he came across as a snake oil salesman who rode his success with Mark O'Meara and then Tiger Woods to bigger acclaim than he ever deserved. This just confirms what I suspected all along. https://t.co/m9RkEJLB9f
— Jake Weaver (@MidwestGolfJake) May 29, 2019

Good stuff Hank, as the LPGA is about to play for the biggest US open purse ever this is your take? @SIRIUSXM get this guy off the air with the BS. Racist and Sexist takes have no place in growing the game of golf for women. YIKES
— RedZone 🏈🥁 (@JJMcIntosh) May 29, 2019

@HankHaney When did you become a dinasaur, Hank??? Your comments about women's golf a ignorant, sexist, and racist.
— Dave Andrews (@PopsandSunshine) May 29, 2019

For the record, the 74th U.S. Women’s Open is being held at the Country Club of Charlston, where Ariya Jutanugarn will attempt to defend her crown and the $5 million purse is a new record for women’s golf.

So, while the LPGA is nowhere near as popular as the PGA — especially now with Tiger Woods being “back” — the sport of women’s golf is clearly growing.