News

Where Have You Gone Rory Sabbatini?

Published

18 years ago

Dec 16, 2007

It was just a few months ago that Rory Sabbatini put his foot in his mouth claiming Tiger Woods was "as beatable as ever."

Well Rory has found a way to get on Tiger Woods’s last nerve yet again. How’d he do it? By skipping out on the last round of the Target World Challenge citing "personal reasons" at first, a story which his agent has now changed to "shin splints." Sabbatini was in last place going into the final round of the tournament after rounds of 81 and 76, but packed up his locker yesterday. Sabbatini will still collect his $170,000 last place check despite not finishing the tournament. When asked about the situation, Tiger Woods said, "A lot of different things going on, and I’d like to try and get to the bottom of it when I’m done here, and we’ll see what happens." Regardless of what his reasons might have been, Sabbatini’s move was questioned by many players in the field, Mark Calcavecchia said, "I think I could have toughed it out one more round. I don’t think the fans missed him."

Bud Martin, Sabbatini’s agent told the media, "He had shin splints that were bothering him yesterday. He went home overnight and worked on them with his trainer, and they weren’t getting any better. He said he wasn’t going to risk it." Fred Couples in particular was especially critical of Sabbatini. When told about his withdrawal, Couples likened the story to Roger Clemens’s denial of the accusations in the Mitchell Report and said, "He should give [his check] back to the foundation."

Sabbatini has an uncanny knack for doing or saying the wrong thing at the wrong time. Looming like a dark cloud over his four PGA Tour victories, Sabbatini’s actions have a rather distasteful history. When the name Sabbatini comes to mind, it is linked to the memory of him storming off the 17th green while Ben Crane had not yet even hit his approach at the 2005 Booze Allen Classic. Despite the harsh criticism he drew from that incident, Rory continued to protest, utilizing his wife who would occasionally don a shirt with "Keep Up" in bold lettering. Sabbatini reasoned the protest saying, "There are some players who could certainly use some help with their pace of play." However, there surely are more tactful and civil ways to express the same message.

Yet, that has never quite been Sabbatini’s style. Earlier this year he ignited a storm of controversy by calling Tiger Woods "the most beatable he’s ever been," at the Wachovia Championship. Woods went on to beat Sabbatini at the Wachovia and again at the WGC Bridgestone Invitational. Whether Sabbatini makes these comments out of frustration, or simply to seek a reaction, his antics are increasingly non-professional considering his inability to back up his brash statements.

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10 Comments

Dan

Dec 20, 2007 at 4:49 pm

The (supposed) lion that roryed like a mouse, and as far as I’m concerned he is just that a little mouse, who should give back his unearned cheese to the Tiger Foundation.
Good bye to this bad mouthed, ill mannered, disrespectful, _ _ _ hole !

Reply Report comment
chris carroll

Dec 20, 2007 at 12:40 pm

I feel that rory needs to grow up because this is a game of ettiquete, sorry if I mispelled that, and the way he acts is rediculous. I also liked it how Tiger stuck it to him at the wachovia after he ran his mouth.

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Alan

Dec 19, 2007 at 6:49 pm

I used to like the guy. I thought a “personality-not a clone.” Now I realize he is a clown, not clone. WD without good reason, assuming he doesn’t return the check, well I no longer care for the clown.

Good riddance.

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Hal Hintze

Dec 18, 2007 at 9:33 pm

Rory Sabbatini is living proof that in order to attend Q School one need not complete IQ School.

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Jason Michaels

Dec 18, 2007 at 8:58 pm

I am speechless… There is no excuse for this.
Hey Bud Martin please ask poor old Rory a question for us!

If he was in 1st place going into the final round do you think he could have toughed it out then?

Rory! this game is not for you…

Reply Report comment
Dion Keyser

Dec 18, 2007 at 1:19 pm

As a fellow South African I am embarrassed to be associated with him, although he does speak with an American accent these days so if you want you can have him (please)

Reply Report comment
axel foley

Dec 17, 2007 at 11:09 pm

He’s been a miserable twit all his life, so who is surprised when he disrespects the game of golf and its greatest player by his latest stunt. Hopefully, Nike will weigh its options with one of the few bad apples in golf, and hit him where it hurts most. Golfers, being independent contractors, usually only have themselves to answer to, but the boos that he’ll hear from this early next year (cant wait to see Phoenix) could finally begin showing up on his bottom line. The jerk of the world deserves it

Reply Report comment
bigwhipper

Dec 17, 2007 at 5:11 pm

Sabbatini = when great talent happens to bad people

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B Miller

Dec 17, 2007 at 2:21 pm

There is a Santa Claus after all. It’s not enough for me that Tiger wins: Sabbatini must fail!

Reply Report comment
Rob

Dec 17, 2007 at 8:47 am

I used to like Sabbatini, but his withdrawal from the Target is inexcusable. I think he should at least donate the paycheque back to the charity.

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