STEVE ELKINGTON FACES DISCIPLINARY ACTION FOR TWITTER OUTBURST

FROM THE DAILY TELEGRAPH WEBSITE
By ALASDAIR REID 
US-based Australian golfer Steve Elkington was given a police escort for the start of his third round of the Senior Open at Royal Birkdale today following the extraordinary and potentially racist Twitter outburst in which he savaged the town of Southport and a “Pakistani robber guy.”

Elkington issued a statement apologising for his Tweet, but a tournament spokesman, speaking on behalf of the R and A, the European Senior Tour and the [US] Champions Tour, confirmed that the matter will be reviewed and suggested that disciplinary action could follow.

Elkington’s original Tweet, posted on Friday evening, was soon deleted. However, a second Tweet appeared on his Twitter account on Saturday morning, claiming that “a couple of caddies got rolled by some Pakis...” 
That post was also removed soon afterwards.

Aside from anything golf’s authorities may do, the language used by Elkington could conceivably result in legal action being taken against him as well.

As well as making his comments about Pakistanis, Elkington, who won the US PGA Championship in 1995, was scathing in his first attack on Southport, listing its features as: "fat tattooed guy, fat tattooed girl, trash, ice cream stored guy and s***t food."

The 50-year-old Australian issued his apology shortly before the start of his third round. Elkington had a policeman walking with him for the first few holes, but there were no reports of any incidents.

“Being Australian, I was unaware that my use of language in relation to the Pakistani people would cause offence,” his statement said. “But having been made aware I now deeply regret the use of that terminology.
“Southport is a beautiful place and I have enjoyed playing at Royal Birkdale as my positive content on Twitter has shown. My comments were borne out of frustration over what had happened to a colleague.
“I am prepared to adhere to any disciplinary action that the Championship sees fit.”