This is making me ill. I’m sick with the thought that someone misinformed Justin Rose who then posted on Twitter that Seve Ballesteros has died. I’ve tried my best to get in touch with Justin to check his source and get him to take that down if it isn’t true. I sure hope it isn’t. No response from Justin.
On Friday 6th May 2011, @JustinRose99 said:
Just stepped off the course to hear about the death of Seve. One of my idols. What dignity and courage he showed thru what must be the hardest of times. That’s when the true character of a man comes out. I saw how strong my dad was in his last days and I have no doubt Seve was the same. Sad day for golf.
What a black eye for Justin if he has in fact written the epitaph for a great golf legend who has yet to pass. The viral nature of Twitter has people “re-tweeting” or reposting this news which may not be true. I’m very sad.
Meanwhile all the golf scribes who only post on Twitter and don’t read other people’s posts have no idea that half the people on there are worried about Seve’s death, while they post the “great news” that Tiger Woods has committed to play in THE PLAYERS Championship. Gag.
UPDATE 40 minutes later
Justin has responded with this quote below. I feel bad for the guy. If some bonehead reporter really did ask him about the death of Seve, the guy should be stripped of his credentials.
As I stepped off I answered Q’s on his death. From golf reporters! I feel terrible if I have jumped the gun. Was on course for 5 hrs… Thought that something like that should’ve been factual! Felt compelled to say something about the great man. #confused#thrownunderthebus
UPDATE 60 minutes later
It appears that the reporter who asked Rose the questions was Alex Miceli. Below are his last three tweets, ordered newest to oldest, explaining and apologizing for the incident. Man what a black eye for both people. I feel very bad for both of them.
Clearly our world has changed, always trying to get the story immediately, but I should’ve known better.
Alex Miceli
It’s clearly a mistake at this point and I apolgize to Justin and all those that read the tweet.
Alex Miceli
Justin Rose tweeted that Seve has died becuase of questions I asked him after his round.
UPDATE 70 minutes later from Justin Rose
Guys, feel sick to my stomach about the mistake I made there. Please understand the circumstances in which I made my comment. Right off the course, circled by media, asking on my thoughts and memories of Seve. I am relieved to be wrong and I know this info has saddened a lot of people. I felt compelled to share my respect for him immediately. I never would have thought to confirm such a fact.
#sorry. Apologies to the Ballesteros family.
HOGWire – Golf Industry News
What ever happened to being a real journalist and checking sources?
Very ugly especially with how quick social media is and the fact that it deals with a death.