Professional golfer Michelle Wie West fired on Rudy Giulani Friday night over lewd comments he made about her on Steve Bannon’s podcast, “War Room.” The former New York City mayor had shared a story on Thursday about Rush Limbaugh, who died earlier that day, in which he and the late right-wing talk show host got a glimpse of Wie’s underwear while playing golf.
Whoever won those 5 LPGA titles called the story “highly inappropriate” in shared a note on Twitter“What this person should have remembered from that day was the fact that I shot 64 and beat every male golfer in the field and lead our team to victory,” she wrote. “I shudder when I think he was smiling at my face and complimenting my playing while making me objective and referring to my ‘panties’ behind my back all day long.”
According to Giuliani, at a charity tournament where amateurs paid to play with professional golfers, his and Limbaugh’s group – which also included Roger Ailes and Cigar Aficionado’s publisher Marvin Shanken – was linked to Who. Giuliani asked Bannon if he could share a ‘funny story’ and started the anecdote, in which he says that he and Limbaugh tried to avoid the paparazzi who followed them before realizing they weren’t the focus.
“On the green, Michelle Wie is getting ready to put,” said Giuliani. “Now, Michelle. Who’s gorgeous. She’s six feet. And she’s got a strange posture. She bends all the way over and shows her panties. And the press went crazy … They tried to take pictures of her panties. I said ‘[Rush]It’s not me, it’s not you, it’s her panties. ”
He ended the story with, “Is that okay to tell that joke? I’m not sure.”
Bannon replied, “We’ve already told you so I don’t know.”
Although Wie’s note didn’t directly mention Giuliani, she confirmed that she had led the group to victory. She also addressed his comments on her position, saying, “My put position six years ago was to improve my put statistics (I won the US Open that year), NOT as an invitation to look up my skirt!”
She added, “What needs to be discussed is the elite skill level at which women play, not what we wear or look.”
Twitter users praised her response, which also sparked a discussion of misogyny and sexism in sports.
Coaches and parents of young female golfers also weighed in and shared some of the experiences they have seen in the sport.
There were also criticisms of sports maker Nike for the outfits of female golfers.
The Golf Association of the United States also got involved, sharing Wie’s Tweet, commenting, “Sexism has no place in golf or in life. We’re always in your corner, @MichelleWieWest
Who recently quit the tour circuit, after giving birth to her daughter last June.