Welshman Jamie Donaldson has been disgustingly labelled a ‘coward’ by a leading US sports magazine following an incident during the final round of the WGC – Cadillac Championship.
Alan Shipnuck is a well-respected golf writer for Sports Illustrated but the American has won no friends with his controversial comments.
Donaldson secured his best-ever finish in either a WGC or a Major Championship in finishing joint second to American Patrick Reed at Trump Doral in suburban Miami.
However what the affable Welshman didn’t deserve following his superb display over the four days was the label of ‘coward’ and there’s many got on to Twitter including from past players and a number of caddies presently working the PGA Tour to criticize Shipnuck.
Shipnuck, who incidentally was not present at Trump Doral, kick-started the controversy with the following comment in relation to Donaldson supposedly laying up on the par four, 16th and Donaldson’s 70th hole.
Alan Shipnuck @AlanShipnuck Mar 9 “Hey, Jamie: the golf gods hate cowards.”
Given how far back you were of Patrick Reed, did it affect how you played the last several holes?
JAMIE DONALDSON: Not really, because I played really well all week. I didn’t really pay much attention to what was going on and I was trying to focus on keep hitting really good shots and that’s just what I kept doing. I hit a couple of bad shots today which you’re going to. It’s just a pity that one of them was on 18 with the 4‑iron.
But, you know, it difficult to say. I hit so many good shots all week, I played so well, so if the putter was a bit warmer early on in the week, then things may have been different. But overall, just very happy with the way I played well.”
Donaldson had come from three shots back to put himself in contention with a first hole birdie and then two other birdies before heading to the 16th where he landed his drive on the fairway and played a second shot that was a 110-yards short of the green before walking off with a par.
But then in a superb display of courage, and given the ‘heat’ of the occasion, Donaldson calmly landed his second shot from 151-yards out at the par four, 17th to just two feet for a brilliant birdie – no mention of this in the Sports Illustrated article.
It’s little wonder Donaldson has enjoyed plenty of support post Shipnuck’s gutless label.
Michael Verity @MichaelVerity Mar 9 @AlanShipnuck Brave of you Alan.
Gary Evans @GaryEvansGolf Mar 9 @AlanShipnuck hey Alan, when was the last time you stations in the 18th fairway with a WGC on the line? Oh that’s right….never!
Ewan Murray @mrewanmurray Mar 9 @AlanShipnuck that’s a unnecessarily cruel. Cowards wouldn’t be -4, 71 holes into this event.
Bob Estes @BobEstesPGA Mar 9@AlanShipnuck That’s harsh Alan.
@AlanShipnuck @BobEstesPGA Have you ever broke 80 Alan?
Gary murphy @Garymurphy62 Mar 9 ”and your handicap is???
Ian Keenan @keenogolf Mar 9 “Ridiculous comment.”
Ken Herring @VeteranRat Mar 9 “The golf gods may or may not hate cowards but the majority of the living world hates dickhead journalists.”
Gavin Abson @GavinAbsonGolf Mar 9 “Ridiculous tweet – he layed up on 16 as he believed that was his best chance of 3!”
wayne husselbury @wayneefc1 Mar 9 “You play the shot as you see it not how everyone else wants you to play it that’s why he’s a pro and you’re an a#%e”
