Sergio Garcia fired another round of verbal barrage towards Tiger Woods after coming up with what looked to be a racist remark against the world's top golfer.
Garcia, who engaged in a war of words with Woods two weeks ago at the Players Championship, reportedly made a racially insensitive comment against his rival during the European Tour awards dinner on Tuesday.
The Spaniard was asked if he's ready to clear the air with Woods by inviting the American golfer for a dinner in the upcoming US Open championship next month.
"We'll have him round every night,'' Garcia said, according to British newspaper, The Guardian. "We will serve fried chicken.''
Considered as racial stereotype with Afro-Americans, Garcia's fried chicken comment was previously used by Fuzzy Zoeller, who received heavy criticisms following the 1997 Masters after suggesting that fried chicken would be served for next year's Masters dinner. Woods was set to serve as the dinner's host the following year after winning his first Grand Slam title at the Masters.
According to the British Newspaper, Garcia issued a statement of apology before he left the European Tour awards dinner at the BMW PGA Championship in Virginia Water, England.
"I apologize for any offense that may have been caused by my comment on stage during the European Tour Players' Awards dinner,'' Garcia said. "I answered a question that was clearly made towards me as a joke with a silly remark, but in no way was the comment meant in a racist manner.''
Garcia's recent comment could add more colors to his bitter rivalry with Woods heading into next month's US Open championship - the second Grand Slam tournament of the year.
The Woods-Garcia rivalry is increasingly becoming a major storyline in this year's PGA tour. It may take a long time before their seething animosity against each other tones down with Woods admitting not ready to settle the score with the feisty Spaniard.