PGA of America President Ted Bishop Relieved of Duties

Updates from Tuesday, Oct. 28

Ted Bishop spoke about the circumstances that led to his exit from the PGA of America on the Golf Channel's Morning Drive, via Will Gray of GolfChannel.com:

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'When I wake up at 2:30-3 a.m. and I can't sleep, it's because I look at the things I feel like I've done in my career, for my girls, for women from Day 1, and I think these things, they're flushed down the toilet,' he said. 'And that's going to be my legacy. That's it. That's the situation I created for myself.'

Bishop apologized Tuesday on "Morning Drive" for his comments and expressed regret over the subsequent fallout.



'The remorse I feel is because it potentially wipes out a lot of really good work that I've done over my career with women,' he said. 'It's painful because it's taken a lot of things that I've done and put them down the drain.'

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Updates from Saturday, Oct. 25 

Golf Central provides a statement from PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem:

Original Text:

Ted Bishop, president of the PGA of America, has reportedly been "relieved of his duties," according to Golf Channel's Jason Sobel. Bishop had two options, Sobel reported: resign or be removed. The PGA chose to remove him.

Bishop also issued a statement following his exit, via Sobel:

The move stems from comments Bishop made toward Ian Poulter after the latter criticized Nick Faldo and Tom Watson in his biography, No Limits.

Bishop took exception to the critiques, first tweeting, "Faldo's record stands by itself. Six majors and all-time RC points. Yours vs. His? Lil Girl," per The Associated Press (via ESPN.com). He doubled down on his Facebook account, adding, "Really? Sounds like a little school girl squealing during recess. C'MON MAN!"

"Is being called a 'lil girl' meant to be derogatory or a put-down?" Poulter said in a statement, per the AP. "That's pretty shocking and disappointing, especially coming from the leader of the PGA of America. No further comment."

Derek Sprague will take over as the interim president:

Bishop issued an apology after his social media outburst, per Golf Central:

Regardless, ESPN's Kevin Van Valkenburg was highly critical of Bishop:

Christine Brennan of USA Today felt the comments alienated the PGA's segment of female fans:

Sprague was initially tabbed as Bishop's successor before the now former-PGA president was removed from office.

According to Sobel, Sprague will hold the interim tag until Nov. 22, at which time the PGA of America will officially elect new officers.