The decision to fine Tiger Woods for spitting has stirred his USA fan base who’ve labelled the European Tour’s actions as a ‘storm in a tea cup’.

European Tour CEO, George O’Grady revealed his offices have been inundated with emails from both sides of the Atlantic following a decision to single out the 14-time Major winning Woods for disciplinary action.

Woods was fined under the Tour’s ‘Code of Behaviour’ guidelines after TV coverage showed him spitting just prior to putting out at the 12th hole in the final round of last week’s Omega Dubai Desert Classic.

“The Tour received a good few emails before the decision to fine Woods but then when it was announced he was going to be fined, we were inundated with emails,” said O’Grady.

“Just about everyone for this part of the world was supportive but not all have been supportive of his actions in America.

“The general consensus from the Americans was that we were making it a storm in a tea cup.

“But it’s all to do with culture. The culture here in Europe is that people are basically against spitting but while you wouldn’t think anything of a rugby player spitting after he scored a try but this was spitting on a putting green that someone else may have to putt over.

“That’s generally outrages everyone and it also frowned on the Gulf States, and we’ve made a big song and dance about the European Tour adapting to the culture of the country we go to.

“We go to China and we have to learn a lot of their customs and it’s the same in the Gulf.

“But in America it is not the same feeling, and while you wouldn’t expect to see American spit on a putting green, it’s not frowned on in the same way.

”The thing also with Tiger is that ever since he turned pro they have every single shot he’s played has been televised. I am almost certain of that and while they may not have shown every shot, it is on camera.”

Woods apologised for his actions on ‘Twitter’ and it’s a means O’Grady is comfortable.

“As we are all part of this new social circle, Tiger gave his apology on Twitter which I am okay about,” said O’Grady.

“The pressure when you are a player like Tiger Wood is everything and before he’s got the letter from our tournament administrator, it was our guys who had the microphone in his face asking him what he was going to do about it.

“So Tiger’s learnt from media sources he was facing a fine and he’s reacted in a way that tells the world.

“Twitter is the useful way of communicating now, and everyone is aware of it, so Tiger has said that he broke the rules and accepts that we are right to penalise him.

“Tiger said he was sorry he did it and didn’t realise it at the time. So case dealt with. Over.”

However while this latest controversy to engulf Woods may be closed, O’Grady revealed changes will be enacted soon to amend the Rules of Golf that saw Padraig Harrington disqualified from last month’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.

“The Padraig Harrington issue along with what happened to Camilo Villegas in the States is something I feel that the penalty far, far outweighs the crime,” said O’Grady.

“If you break a rule I have nothing wrong with the guy being penalised but to be disqualified after you signed your scorecard because a TV saw something that is unintentional is a bit harsh.

“I don’t believe the rule was written for that intention and there’s already been strong discussion between Tim Finchem, myself and both the R & A and USGA.

“So you see a change coming very soon.”