European Tour chief executive George O'Grady has issued an apology for referring to athletes as "coloured" in an interview.

O'Grady was defending the organisation's decision not to sanction Sergio Garcia for joking that he would serve Tiger Woods fried chicken if he invited him over for dinner, sparking concerns of a potential racist undertone.

While speaking about the comments, BBC Sport quotes O'Grady as saying: "We accept all races on the European Tour, we take it very strongly. Most of Sergio's friends are coloured athletes in the United States and he is absolutely abject in his apology and we accepted it."

Following his racial reference, The Mirror has revealed that O'Grady issued a brief statement saying: "I deeply regret using an inappropriate word for which I unreservedly apologise."

Meanwhile, Garcia's sponsors TaylorMade-adidas have warned the golfer following the controversy.