Woods will pay paltry penalty for spitting

The former world No 1 was found guilty of a breach of the European Tour’s code of conduct.

The amount of the fine has not been made public, but the range for minor breaches of the code is from £250 to £10,000 – small change, of course, for a man who was paid a reported £1.8m to appear in the event.

Once he receives notification of the fine Woods has seven days to appeal should he so choose.

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 ethic and he is a credit to the game and an inspiration to all of those who are trying to become professional golfers,” said Murray.

“But there are some parts of him that are just arrogant and petulant.”

Murray had also called Woods’s spitting on the second tee during the second round of the event in Dubai “one of the ugliest things you will ever see on a golf course”.