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View Full Version : Commendable.


Billyman
08-05-2003, 01:35 AM
http://sports.yahoo.golfserv.com/gdc/news/article.asp?id=16245


GRAND BLANC, Mich. (AP) -- Well, John Yates is now the proud owner of a golf glove autographed by Tiger Woods. The fan also has three stitches courtesy of an errant shot by Woods.

Woods' approach at No. 7 during the final round of the Buick Open on Sunday sailed to the right and bounced off Yates' head, cutting him, before landing in the greenside bunker.

The spectator was on his back, his head bleeding, when Woods came over to apologize.

``I'm so sorry,'' Woods said, leaning down to shake Yates' hand. ``Hang in there.''

Woods asked if help was on the way. Tournament marshals assured him it was.

Woods, who wound up making birdie, returned to give Yates the glove and a ball.

Reached later by telephone at his home in Grand Blanc, Yates said he didn't need medical assistance beyond the stitches.

In fact, he was in a joking mood.

``I helped him out because my head knocked it back toward the hole,'' said Yates, who's 52. ``He birdied the hole, I guess. I didn't see it. It's my most memorable moment in golf.''

He said he was shaded by trees and didn't see the ball coming.

``When it hit me, I heard the noise, but I didn't really know what happened. The next thing I knew, I was bleeding,'' Yates said. ``I never lost consciousness or felt dizzy or anything like that.''

He said he probably will give the souvenirs from Woods to his son, who also was at the tournament.

Woods said he felt ``terrible'' about what happened.

``I hit that ball 40 or 50 yards off line,'' said Woods, who finished tied for second at 19-under, two strokes behind Jim Furyk. ``I've done that before, and I hopefully will not do it again.

``It was hard to focus on the next shot when the guy is lying there bleeding.''
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Now you've got Tiger giving this guy souvenirs in attempt to cover his own ass in this "sue everyfuckingthing" world. I can't blame him there and no doubt he felt sorry for what happened. But Yates, this is the commendable guy. The news (internet, paper, tv) is riddled with "sue this and sue thats". Yates let it bounce off his chest (or his head in this case) and smiled, joked and laughed it off. He could've easily sued Tiger for gobs of money but deemed it all being in the wrong place at the right time (or vice versa).

Thumbs up Mr. John Yates. Enjoy your scar.

If Johnny Cockrin were dead, he'd be rolling over in his grave.

Cruise Director
08-05-2003, 05:46 AM
I was thinking the same thing about Tiger when I read this. I'm sure he's probably a really nice guy but, as far as I know, a golfer is responsible for his shot no matter how far off course it gets. He could have been a major prick and done nothing but the gesture is nice.

You're correct about the victim; he seems like a nice guy.

Koliedrus
08-06-2003, 03:41 PM
I'm told (I'm not a golpher) that to spectate, one must sign a waiver. The risk of getting your head split open by an errant ball or club is part of the deal.

Golf = Blood Sport?

I'll bet they're keeping hush on some really cool cart accidents, the bastards.