JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Two golfers quoted by a weekly magazine as making disparaging remarks about Tiger Woods and his marriage said Thursday night they never spoke to the publication.
In a story that Life & Style posted on its website, Ben Crane is quoted as saying Woods is a “phony and a fake” and that Woods’ wife knew about allegations of extramarital affairs. It also quotes Charles Warren as saying Woods’ wife “had stars in her eyes and maybe dollar signs too” and should leave him.
“This is unbelievable,” Crane said. “I never said a word about anything. They print this and put my name next to it.”
Warren said he has not given an interview in two months.
“I have not spoken to Life & Style magazine, so there is no story here,” Warren said.
The magazine said: “We sent an experienced freelance reporter to a golf tournament attended by several PGA pros. Our reporter spoke with two golfers who presented themselves as Ben Crane and Charles Warren. We are taking these claims very seriously and investigating further.”
Man to plead guilty in ESPN reporter case
LOS ANGELES — An Illinois insurance executive agreed to plead guilty to interstate stalking after secretly making nude videos of ESPN reporter Erin Andrews, according to court documents. Michael Barrett, 48, of Westmont, Ill., will plead guilty in U.S. District Court on Tuesday, said Thom Mrozek, a spokesman with the U.S. attorney’s office.
Barrett is suspected of renting hotel rooms adjacent to Andrews in three cities last year, altering the peepholes and shooting videos of Andrews in two of the locations. Barrett could face up to five years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000. But as long as he accepts his responsibility for his actions, shows remorse and stays out of trouble, prosecutors will recommend a sentence of 27 months in prison, said Assistant U.S. Attorney Wesley Hsu.
Footnotes.
The Justice Department is refusing to back a posthumous pardon for Jack Johnson, the black heavyweight boxing champion who was imprisoned nearly a century ago because of his romantic ties with a white woman, because the department’s resources for pardon requests are best used on behalf of people “who can truly benefit” from them.
• In-Kyung Kim shot a bogey- free 7-under-par 65 to build a two-shot lead over Michelle Wie (68—137) at the halfway point of the Dubai Ladies Masters in United Arab Emirates.
• Han Min-kyu shot a 9-under 62 to take a four-stroke lead after the first round of the Australian PGA in Coolum.
• Ulrich van den Berg shot an 8-under 64 and led by one stroke after the opening round of the Alfred Dunhill Championship in Malelane, South Africa.
• Brazilian star Ronaldinho has been selected soccer player of the decade by World Soccer magazine.
• U.S. forward Landon Donovan is in talks about a loan move to Everton that would give him experience in the English Premier League in the run up to the World Cup.
The Associated Press
