Professional golfer Michelle Wie West has condemned Rudy Giuliani for telling a crude and “unsettling” story about her.
During an appearance on Steve Bannon’s podcast, Donald Trump’s former lawyer recounted how he had joked with Rush Limbaugh about Ms Wie being targeted by photographers when she putted during a round of golf together.
The former New York mayor said Mr Limbaugh had complained during the event that their group was being followed by paparazzi, and blamed Mr Giuliani for it.
Mr Giuliani, who brought up Mr Limbaugh on the day he died of lung cancer, then recalled that the photographers were trained on them because when Ms Wie West putted “her panties show.”
Ms Wie West took to Twitter to respond to the objectifying comments.
“It’s unsettling to hear of this highly inappropriate story shared on a podcast by a public figure referencing my ‘panties’ whilst playing at a charity pro-am,” tweeted Ms Wie West.
“That this person should have remembered from that day was the fact that I shot 64 and beat every male golfer in the field leading our team to victory.
“ I shudder thinking that he was smiling to my face and complimenting me on my game while objectifying me and referencing my ‘panties’ behind my back all day.
“What should be discussed is the elite skill level that women play at, not what we wear or look like.”
And she went on to explain why she had adopted that particular putting stroke.
“My putting stance six years ago was designed to improve my putting stats (I ended up winning the US Open that year), NOT as an invitation to look up my skirt!” she added.
“Nike makes skirts with SHORTS built in underneath for this exact reason ... so that women can feel CONFIDENT and COMFORTABLE playing a game that we love.”
