PGA president makes sexist remark in defense of Faldo against Poulter

PGA of America president Ted Bishop wanted to defend six-time major champion Nick Faldo, who he spent Thursday with at an event, in his ongoing public spat with Ian Poulter. However, in the process, Bishop made remarks indefensible for a person of his stature in golf.

Responding to published shots Poulter took at Faldo in his new autobiography “No Limits,” Bishop came to Faldo’s defense, referring to to Poulter as a “lil girl.”

@IanJamesPoulter -Faldo’s record stands by itself. Six majors and all-time RC points. Yours vs. His? Lil Girl. @NickFaldo006@pgaofamerica

He made similar comments on his Facebook page. Both of his posts have since been deleted.

The comments from Bishop, who is nearing the end of a two-year term as PGA of America president, are disappointing not only given his stature in a male-dominated sport, but also that he was instrumental in teaming with the LPGA to form a new major championship, the Women’s PGA Championship, starting next year in replacement of the long-standing LPGA Championship.

In his book, Poulter took up for Ryder Cup teammate Sergio Garcia, who Faldo called “useless” during TV coverage of the 2014 matches. Faldo claimed Garcia was distracted by a break-up and struggled to compete during the 2008 matches at Valhalla.

“Sergio puts a brave face on it but the rest of the guys are fuming,” Poulter wrote. “I’m shocked that he has said it. It’s highly disrespectful. It’s a cheap shot and it’s the worst possible timing.

“It makes me laugh. Faldo is talking about someone being useless at the 2008 Ryder Cup. That’s the Ryder Cup where he was captain. That’s the Ryder Cup where the Europe team suffered a heavy defeat. And he was captain. So who’s useless?

“Faldo might need to have a little look in the mirror. I have always got on great with Faldo in the past and I have a great deal of respect for everything he has achieved but this feels like sour grapes. It feels like a guy who is still bitter that he lost in 2008.”

Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.

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