TV Host: I'm Sorry For 'Lynch Tiger' Remark

Jan. 9, 2007 — -- Golf Channel anchor Kelly Tilghman has apologized after saying during Friday's telecast of the PGA Tour's opening event that today's young players should "lynch Tiger Woods in a back alley," and Woods' agent called the story a "non-issue."

"On Friday during our golf broadcast, Nick Faldo and I were discussing Tiger's dominance in the golf world and I used some poorly chosen words," Tilghman said in a statement. "I have known Tiger for 12 years and I have apologized directly to him. I also apologize to our viewers who may have been offended by my comments."

The story was first reported by New York Newsday.

The Golf Channel also responded to the situation.

"We regret the unfortunate choice of words that Kelly used during the broadcast and apologize to anyone who was offended by her remarks," the network said in its statement. "We take this matter very seriously. She has apologized privately to Tiger and publicly on the air."

Asked for a reaction, Woods' agent Mark Steinberg said: "This story is a non-issue. Tiger and Kelly are friends and Tiger has a great deal of respect for Kelly. Regardless of the choice of words used we know unequivocally that there was no ill-intent in her comments. This story is a non-issue in our eyes. Case closed."

Tilghman, who played college golf at Duke, works as the main play-by-play announcer during The Golf Channel's PGA Tour telecasts.