EUROPEAN TOUR FINE BJORN

DANE IS RAPPED FOR PUBLIC CRITICISM OF
RYDER CUP CAPTAIN IAN WOOSNAM


Thomas Bjorn has been fined an undisclosed but apparently "substantial sum" by the European Tour for his stinging criticism of European Ryder Cup captain Ian Woosnam which was displayed prominently in the newspapers and other media outlets this morning.
Bjorn was very upset at not being given one of the wild card places by Woosnam, highlighting the fact that he had a much stronger claim, if only in points and rankings, than Lee Westwood.
George O'Grady, Chief Executive of the European Tour, today issued the following statement:
"Thomas Björn is a passionate and outstanding supporter of the European Tour. Nevertheless the European Tour will not tolerate comments such as the personal and unacceptable remarks made by Thomas on Ian Woosnam, the 2006 European Ryder Cup captain.
"We are aware that he has apologised to Ian Woosnam, and he has also apologised to the Tour. Thomas's commitment to the European Tour has never been in doubt. On this occasion he accepts his immense disappointment caused him to make spontaneous but inappropriate comments.
"We take this matter extremely seriously and we have fined Thomas a substantial sum. He has accepted this fine. This very unfortunate episode is now closed."