Politically incorrect golf: Top 10

2. Graham Brown, 2007. ‘All Japanese look the same’

On the eve of the 2007 Open at Carnoustie, Graham Brown, a member of the R&A rules committee, made a guest speech at the Association of Golf Writers’ annual function.

It threatened to overshadow the entire tournament.

While there is no transcript of what Brown said to about 400 guests, Brown’s speech, made just days after Bernard Manning’s death, could have been taken from the Mancunian comedian’s own mouth.

Several journalists stated that his speech included jokes about “Nips”, a comment that “all Japanese look the same”, remarks about black caddies at Augusta and a story about two golfers with disabilities.

It was left to Peter Dawson, chief executive of The R&A, to clean up the mess.

“Graham Brown is certainly not a racist and he is horrified at the impression he has left and the impact of some of his remarks,” he said.

“He accepts that his comments were ill-judged and he apologises unreservedly for any offence he has caused.”