Broadcaster Sky Sports has apologised for unacceptable comments made by analyst Helen Alfredsson yesterday during its coverage of the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters.
Swede Alfredsson, 48, who won 11 tournaments on the Ladies European Tour before retiring in September, made reference to last Friday’s Glasgow helicopter crash, which killed nine people.
Alfredsson was commentating when a noisy helicopter flew overheard.
The Swede said she: “Hoped they are better pilots than they are in Scotland.”
Her comments brought instant condemnation on social media sites and a spokesman for Sky Sports said: “Sky Sports offered coverage of the Dubai Ladies Masters tournament on Thursday with live pictures and commentary provided by a world feed broadcaster, supported by presentation from our own studios in London.
“Sky has no control over the commentary from the event, which is shared by a number of international broadcasters.
“We were shocked at the unacceptable comments made by one of the analysts. As soon as coverage switched back to our studio in London, our presenter David Livingstone apologised and we reiterate our apology for the offence caused by these comments.
“We have also expressed our strong concerns to the world feed broadcaster.”
Alfredsson later issued a statement: “Regretfully I made an inappropriate and distasteful comment on air and apologise unreservedly for any offence caused by this mistake.
“I did not intend to hurt anybody and I am devastated if I have hurt anyone. I feel very embarrassed because this was not intended in any shape or form.”
LET chief executive officer Ivan Khodabakhsh added: “Helen’s comment on air was careless but people who know Helen will realise that she would never have intended to hurt someone and I do not believe this was the case.”
A spokesperson for the LET later confirmed that Alfredsson would not commentate on the remaining two days of the tournament.
On the course, world number three Stacy Lewis carded a superb 65 to move into the lead at the halfway stage.
American Lewis fired eight birdies and just one bogey to finish nine under par at Emirates Golf Club, one shot ahead of Sweden’s Pernilla Lindberg.
Lindberg, who shared the lead after the first round, added a 69 to her opening 67 to lie alone in second, a shot ahead of Spain’s Carlota Ciganda.
Thailand’s Pornanong Phatlum is another stroke back on six under before a three-shot gap to the chasing pack containing Scotland’s Vikki Laing and English veteran Laura Davies.
Teenager Charley Hull, who is looking to secure Ladies European Tour rookie of the year honours in Dubai, carded a second round of 72 to lie seven off the lead on two under par.