Tiger Woods fined for spitting on green at Dubai

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It turns out that members of the media weren’t the only ones disgusted by the Tiger Woods spitting incident during the Dubai Desert Classic held over the weekend. Woods has been fined an undisclosed amount by the European Tour for spitting on the 12th green during Sunday’s final round.

Take a look at what happened (it’s not that gross). You may have to crank up the volume a bit, but it’s worth it to hear the reaction of Ewen Murray, a commentator for Britain’s Sky Sports.

A statement from the tour said tournament director Mike Stewart reviewed the incident and feels Woods’ behavior was a breach of the tour code of conduct.

According to the tour’s code of conduct, a member “voluntarily submits himself to standards of behavior and ethical conduct beyond those required of ordinary golfers and members of the public.”

[Updated at 10:15 a.m.: Woods has posted an apology on Twitter: “The Euro Tour is right — it was inconsiderate to spit like that and I know better. Just wasn’t thinking and want to say I’m sorry.”]

In addition to Murray’s scathing on-air comments (“Somebody now has to come behind him and maybe putt over his spit. It does not get much lower than that.”), London newspapers were not kind either. One such paper, the Mail, called Woods’ actions ‘a new low.’ while Lawrence Donegan of the Guardian wrote, ‘He might want to ask himself how much it serves the cause of his post-scandal rehabilitation to be broadcast around the world spitting on the green.’

Woods started the day a shot off the lead, looking for his first tournament win in more than two years. But he bogeyed two of the first three holes and wound up finishing tied for 20th at four under 284.

-- Chuck Schilken

The Associated Press contributed to this report.