Woods fined for spitting

Tiger Woods has been fined an undisclosed amount by the European Tour for spitting on the 12th green of his final round at the Dubai Desert Classic.

Tournament director Mike Stewart reviewed the incident and decided that the former world number one's action breached the Tour's code of conduct.

"Consequently Tiger Woods will be fined," said a Tour statement on Monday afternoon.

It was not the only time Woods was caught on camera spitting during the week and he was also heard swearing as he failed to end almost 15 months without a victory.

Only one shot off the lead entering the final day, Woods slumped to 20th spot with a closing 75 - his worst ever score in a regular European Tour event during his professional career.

The 14-time major champion has also now gone 17 tournaments without a win for the first time since he left the amateur ranks in 1996.

Ewen Murray, the lead golf commentator of Sky Sports, drew the attention of viewers to what Woods did close to the 12th hole after missing a par putt.

"You look at his work ethics and he is a credit to the game and an inspiration to all of those who are trying to become professional golfers," began Murray.

"But there are some parts of him that are just arrogant and petulant. Somebody now has to come behind him and maybe putt over his spit. It does not get much lower than that."

Murray had also called his spitting on the second tee during the second round "one of the ugliest things you will ever see on a golf course".