The Open: Ken Brown faces backlash after fairway comment

KEN BROWN has caused a stir following a comment he made during the Open which some perceive as racist.

As Tiger Woods and Lee Westwood prepared to play the 12th hole, Brown said: “This fairway runs like an Ethiopian chicken…it just runs.”

Following the comment many took to Twitter to voice their anger. Shaun Murphy, English 2005 world snooker champion, wrote: “Did Ken Brown just say that? This fairway runs like an Ethiopian chicken? What does that even mean?”

He later added: “Funny way to announce his retirement I thought.”

Brown was reporting for the BBC and this latest gaffe comes weeks after John Inverdale was forced to make an apology to 2013 Wimbledon women’s champion Marion Bartoli after he said she was "never going to be a looker.”

A BBC spokesman said: “Ken apologises for his comments and any offence that was caused.”

Did his comment offend you? Do you think he should have to apologise? Let us know in the forum below or tweet us @golfmagic

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