(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-01-25 16:43

SAN DIEGO - Golf Channel anchor Kelly Tilghman returned to work Thursday with an apology and an audio glitch.

Tiger Woods reacts to his tee shot on the par-3 third hole of the South Course at Torrey Pines during the first round of for the Buick Invitational golf tournament, Thursday Jan. 24, 2008 in San Diego. [Agencies]

Tilghman was suspended for two weeks after saying during the season-opening tournament that young challengers to Tiger Woods should "lynch him in a back alley."

She apologized to Woods, who did not play that week, and Woods has acknowledged her mistake and said the issue was over.

The end of Tilghman's suspension coincided with Woods' debut at the Buick Invitational. Tilghman recorded an apology that was played at the top of the telecast Thursday, but viewers could not hear the first few seconds because of an audio problem.

"I'm Kelly Tilghman. It's an honor to be with you again," she said. "In a recent live broadcast, I used an inappropriate word that was offensive to many. Over the last two weeks, I've taken this time to reflect and truly understand the impact of what I said. While I did not intend to offend anyone, I understand why those words were hurtful. I am terribly sorry for any hurt that I've caused. I would like to express my deepest apologies."

Tilghman's remarks came during the second round of the Mercedes-Benz Championship. She apologized on air two days later, and Golf Channel waited another two days to announce her suspension after the Rev. Al Sharpton got involved.

But a week later, Golfweek magazine published a noose on its cover to illustrate its coverage, which caused another round of criticism. The magazine editor, Dave Seanor, was fired two days later.

Tilghman will not be in the booth next week at the FBR Open, but a Golf Channel spokesman said she already was supposed to be off that week because of an intense schedule.

Golf Channel is in the second year of a 15-year deal in which it televises the first two rounds of every PGA Tour event, along with full coverage of 13 other tournaments.