What is up with Rory Sabbatini dissing Tiger's tourney on the weekend by leaving before the last round without much of an explanation.He is messing with the wrong guy as he found out earlier this year.
What is up with Rory Sabbatini dissing Tiger's tourney on the weekend by leaving before the last round without much of an explanation.He is messing with the wrong guy as he found out earlier this year.
Sabbatini did give a reason - said it was due to "personal reasons" and his agent said he had shin splints. I think he should have to give the money back since he didn't finish though.
The tactless South African was dead last, 28 strokes behind Woods after Saturday's third round.
Sabbatini had been planning a trip to Maui for Christmas, anyhow -- so he left word with his agent to tell tourney organizers he had "shin splints," took off for the airport that night in a courtesy car without notifying anyone how to find it, and...
Vanished.
So Sabbatini was a no-show on Sunday, and his fellow pros were steaming.
Among other things, they didn't appreciate the disrespect toward Woods, who has made them all millions of dollars.
"I think I could have toughed it out one more round," Mark Calcavecchia said.
Couples rolled his eyes when told that Rory's agent mentioned the supposed shin splints.
"Of course, he did," Couples told the Associated Press. "And Roger Clemens' agent said he didn't do steroids."
Woods chose not to comment, but everyone on the Tour knows the "Tiger Rule."
Golf's megastar may hold his tongue, but he never, ever forgets a slight.
Tiger once refused to play in an event because two decades earlier, he was denied access to the driving range because of his skin color.
So Sabbatini now has riled Woods beyond all redemption, and by faking an excuse to skip the final round Sunday, he's angered his fellow players, as well.
For the record, Sabbatini received $170,000 in prize money for finishing last.
"He should give (the money) back to the foundation," Couples said.
That's what Tiger did.
For a second straight year, "The Man" donated his entire winner's check of $1.35 million to the Tiger Woods Foundation -- an organization which now has aided over 10 million children.
But hey, maybe Sabbatini needed the cash for a day-early surcharge on the flight to Maui.
I didn't see what the big deal was at first. Withdrawing due to injury? No biggie! But from this it sounds like be may have ticked quite a few colleagues off once again. It will be interesting to find out which path he will take next year.
I didn't see what the big deal was at first. Withdrawing due to injury? No biggie! But from this it sounds like be may have ticked quite a few colleagues off once again. It will be interesting to find out which path he will take next year.
When you are 7 shots off the lead and withdraw due to shin splints it's an injury...Rory wasn't getting it done on the course and blew town...leaving the car to be found by security at the airport is a big indicator IMO...his fellow competitors sniffed him out...they are usually pretty tight lipped but weren't afraid to go on record for this...he shouldn't have to appear in front of a committee, but he shouldn't expect too many dinner invitations either...
By all indications, Rory showed no class and undeniably a loser. He's no Tiger and never will be. In my opinion, the golf world will be better off without him.
Sabbatini did give a reason ... he had shin splints....
Can you say Michelle Wie? I haven't had any problem whatsoever with anything Sabbatini has done to this point. I like the guy... BUT, withdrawing from tournaments is a big shame IF the reason isn't credible. Michelle Wie's withdrawals are far from laudible. If Sabbatini's injury is for real, there's no shame in that. Let's look back to last year, #'s 2 and 3 in the world both had W/D's due to injury and no one lambasted them.
I think he has problems with his anger management. I can understand that someone like him would be pretty angry at himself for shooting 28 behind the leader, the guy that he thought would be easier to beat.
So he upped and left, steam coming out of his ears all the way to the airport. I feel sorry for the people around him though that has to put up with this kind of antics on a regular basis. Kinda like dealing with a spoiled brat who needs a real good smacking from time to time.
In hindsight though, as a pro, he should've known how to handle himself, at least give notice when he cleans out his locker, make sure the courtesy car can find its way back, etc.
I am sure we will hear his "explanations" in the coming weeks.
December 17th, 2007, 07:24 PM
I think he should have to give the money back since he didn't finish though.
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