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SYDNEY - Greg Norman has defended caddie Steve Williams over his racial slur about Tiger Woods, saying the comments were "stupid" but that he doesnt believe Williams is racist. Vince Wilfork Black Jersey . Norman, speaking Monday at The Lakes, where hell begin play in the Australian Open on Thursday, also said Williams current employer Adam Scott should ignore calls to release him. Scott later issued a statement reiterating he will stand by Williams, and saying that he considers the issue closed. "Weve all made stupid comments at stupid times, unfortunately his stupid comment became global news," Norman said. "I know he probably regrets saying it but I guarantee you in that room on that night there was probably some heavier things said." Norman, who had Williams on his bag for several years in the 1980s, replied "no, not at all," when asked Monday if Williams was racist. Scott said in a statement later Monday that he believes "there is absolutely no room for racial discrimination in any walk of life, including the game of golf." "I have discussed this matter directly with Steve and he understands and supports my view on this subject. I also accept Steves apology, knowing that he meant no racial slur with his comments. I now consider the matter closed. I will not be making any further comment." Woods and Scott are also playing in the Australian Open, which has attracted a strong field due to the Presidents Cup at Royal Melbourne next week. Norman disagreed with possible, but extremely unlikely, moves to pair Woods and Scott together this week in Sydney for the first two rounds of the Australian Open. It was also suggested to Norman, the captain of the International side for the Presidents Cup, that he might send Scott out against Woods in the team event in Melbourne. "Everybody wants me to pair Adam and Tiger next week, right, and Im sure there was a question about pairing Adam and Tiger this week," Norman said. "Of course, everybody wants to see it. I dont think its the right thing to do from a promotional aspect, No. 1, because it should just be an automatic draw. "I dont think there is any issue between Tiger and Adam at all." Norman said any feud between Woods and Williams needs to be sorted out. "Because of the temperature that was going on between the two of them, anything that is said or not said is going to exacerbate whatever that feeling is," Norman said. "I hope it gets resolved. Golf doesnt need it. Golf needs Tiger back playing great golf like he used to. Golf needs the cohesiveness thats always existed. "Theres always been underlying currents, not everybody loves everybody and the people who dislike each other; we just have a tendency of parting our ways and not seeing each other. But to have it play out like its played out has been a bit sad for the game." Norman, asked if golf has a problem with racism, said: "No, not at all; never seen it; never seen it at all." Woods was in Melbourne on Monday at a corporate day. Its the city where he last won a tournament: the Australian Masters in November 2009. Weeks later, news of his infidelities surfaced, followed by a divorce, injuries and swing changes. On Monday, Woods told a Melbourne radio station that hes seeing a gradual improvement in his game. The radio interviewers were warned not to ask any questions about Williams. "Ive had a ruptured ACL (anterior cruciate ligament), Ive had a broken leg, a torn Achilles, and strained ligaments over the last five years," Woods said. "Ive been rehabbing for so long I havent been able to train. Im hitting faster, more explosive, my speeds come back. Im hitting the ball distances I know I can hit the golf ball again. Its getting fun." Woods played with cricket great Shane Warne, Warnes fiancee and English actress Liz Hurley and billionaire businessman James Packer at the private Capital Golf Club. Woods flew back to Sydney later Monday. Hell conduct a media conference at The Lakes on Tuesday morning where hes expected to comment directly for the first time on Williamss remarks. Rob Gronkowski White Jersey . Acknowledging "a cloud of suspicion would remain hanging over this dark period," the UCI said the list of Tour winners will remain blank for the years from 1999 to 2005. "This might appear harsh for those who rode clean (but) they would understand there was little honour to be gained in reallocating places," the UCI said after a board meeting in Geneva. Tom Brady Patriots Jersey . Panzeri, 26, made nine birdies in 12 holes to reach 8 under par, just ahead of 11 other players who all sit within three shots of the lead. "To be honest, thats one of the best stretches Ive had ever," said Panzeri. http://www.nflpatriotsfansstore.com/nike-chandler-jones-Patriots-jersey/ . The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal had not been officially announced. The 6-foot-6 Delfino played in the Olympics, where he helped Argentina finish fourth. Tom Brady White Jersey . Trampolinist Rosie MacLennan was one of several Canadian athletes to touch down on home soil on Monday. Brandon Spikes Camo Jersey . Locked out of their jobs since early Sunday morning, the annual gear-up to training camp across North America has instead been replaced with more of the same, a frustrating and seemingly endless batch of off-season training. Carolina released 15-year NFL veteran kicker Olindo Mare on Monday just one year after giving him a four-year, $12 million contract. They also parted ways with punter Nick Harris, an 11-year NFL veteran who was signed as a free agent earlier this off-season. Justin Medlock, a journeyman kicker who last played for the CFLs Hamilton Tiger-Cats, appears to have won the kicking job. The Panthers went with rookie sixth-round draft pick Brad Nortman as their new punter. "Both of those decisions at kicker were very difficult," Panthers general manager Marty Hurney said. "In both situations we felt like we had two young kickers with strong legs who had very good training camps. So did Olindo and Nick, but we made a decision to go with the younger guys based on their performances." The Panthers also placed cornerback Brandon Hogan on injured reserve for the second straight year after he underwent arthroscopic knee surgery last Friday. Wide receiver David Gettis, who has missed all of training camp with a hamstring injury, was placed on the physically unable to perform list with a hamstring injury. Gettis was hoping to battle for the No. 3 receiver spot after missing all of last season with a torn ACL. Gettis can be activated to the 53-man roster after the sixth week of the season. The team also waived wide receivers Darvin Adams, Rico Wallace, Brenton Bersin and Michael Avila, running backs Josh Vaughan and Lyndon Rowells, tight end Greg Smith, guards Will Blackwell and Roger Allen, and defensive end Eric Norwood, a former fourth-round draft pick from South Carolina. Mare had the unenviable task of replacing veteran kicker John Kasay, who was cut last season after spending all 16 years with the team. Mare connected on 22 of 28 on field goals attempts last year but had two key misses in losses to Atlanta and Minnesota. With a chance to send tthe game into overtime he pushed a 31-yard field goal wide left in the closing seconds resulting in a 24-21 loss to the Vikings. Rob Gronkowski Camo Jersey. A few weeks later he missed a 36-yarder against the Falcons in another late-game situation. The Panthers still must pay Mare $3 million, the remaining portion of his signing bonus. But Medlock, who also played in the CFL with Edmonton and Toronto, is a much cheaper alternative in terms of base salary. Hes set to make the league minimum of $390,000. Mares base salary would have been $2.1 million this year. Mares departure doesnt come as a surprise. The kicking battle had been one of the most competitive in training camp and Medlock appeared to have edged ahead because of his ability to make longer field goals. Mare struggled on kicks around 50 yards out, while Medlock had plenty of leg to get it there. The big question for the Panthers was if Medlock could handle the pressure of kicking in a game. He was perfect during the preseason. Medlock was drafted in the fifth round in 2007 by the Kansas City Chiefs and was 1 of 2 on his field goal attempts before being waived. He hasnt attempted a field goal in the league since. However, hes performed well in the CFL. He earned a tryout with the Panthers after connecting on 49 of 55 field goals last season for the Tiger-Cats, including a 57-yarder. "That was one of the big things that attracted us to Justin is he had a strong leg," Hurney said. "He was a highly touted kicker coming out of UCLA. But sometimes it takes kickers awhile to gain some experience. He went to Canada and really did a nice job there and we decided to bring him in." Hurney said running back Jonathan Stewart will be listed as "day-to-day" after injuring his ankle during Sunday nights preseason game against the New York Jets. X-rays on the ankle were negative but its unlikely Stewart will play in Thursdays preseason finale at Pittsburgh. ' ' '