Azinger’s Pathetic ‘Must Win On The PGA Tour’ Comments Anger European Stars

6 years ago by Comments Off on Azinger’s Pathetic ‘Must Win On The PGA Tour’ Comments Anger European Stars

It’s no surprise a number of European Tour stars have slammed the pathetic comments of American Paul Azinger in belittling the efforts of European stars.

Azinger, and commentating for NBC TV during last week’s Honda Classic, again showed he’d also failed his exams at the Donald Trump School for Intelligence declaring  Tommy Fleetwood’s career will not be complete until he’s won on the PGA Tour.

Fleetwood has won eight times in his career, including five times in Europe and was crowned European No. 1 in 2017 and a year later played a pivotal role in Europe’s victory over the Americans.

He was still clear of the field early on during Sunday’s final round and seeking a maiden PGA Tour victory when Azinger, and the winning 2008 US Ryder Cup captain, angered not only Ramsay but a host of fellow European golfers.

Azinger said: “There’s a lot of pressure here. You’re trying to prove to everyone that you’ve got what it takes.

“You can win all you want on that European Tour, international game and all that. But you have to win on the PGA Tour.”

Then in speaking of Fleetwood, Azinger followed up referencing Lee Westwood, who, like Fleetwood, was in contention going into the Honda final round.

Azinger added: “Westwood took offence to that actually yesterday when I asked him about that.

“Lee said I’ve got two wins on the PGA Tour but he said, ‘Oh, well, I’ve won forty-four times all over the world.

“It’s not the PGA Tour, though, and they know that and I think Tommy knows that. It puts a little pressure on Tommy.

“But this is where they want to be, isn’t it? They want to come here. They want to prove that they can win at this level.”

Westwood responded on social media saying simply:  “Oh dear, oh dear!”

Scotland’s Richie Ramsay is a three-time winner on the European Tour and had earlier in his career in becoming the first British golfer when in 2006 he won the US Amateur.

He said:  “Pretty disrespectful this to other tours. Sometimes are strength of field is stronger and playing internationally will undoubtedly make u a better player and MOST a better person.”

Ian Poulter, a three-time PGA Tour winner, said: “I like @PaulAzinger a lot. And get on with him great. But Paul please do not condescend or disrespect the @EuropeanTour and our players like that. We have slapped your arse in Ryder Cup so long I know you captained a win but seriously that was embarrassing today.

Azinger took over the NBC anchor role at the start of last year from the highly-respected Johnny Miller and first put his foot in his mouth this time last year.

Italy’s Franceso Molinari was only the reinging Open Champion having denied Tiger Woods at Carnoustie and had just captured the Arnold Palmer Invitational that he defends this week when Azinger described the victory as ‘the biggest moment of his career’.

While Fleetwood let slip victory at PGA National the 29-year old Englishman has moved back into the world’s top-10 for just a second time in his career.

His third-place result has moved Fleetwood to World No. 10 and in the process knocking Tiger Woods back to No. 11 and the first time Woods has been outside the top-10 since winning last year’s Masters.

 

 



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