Arnold Palmer disappointed due to the absence of top-ranked players – Golf News
The legendary Arnold Palmer has expressed his disappointment over the absence of top-ranked players from the Arnold Palmer Invitational, especially the world number one, Luke Donald, and European golfing sensation, Rory McIlroy.
While the 14-time major winner, Tiger Woods, and left handed Phil Mickelson will make their starts in the last PGA Tour event prior to the Masters Tournament, the top six players in the Official World Golf Rankings will not be present at the tournament.
McIlroy took three weeks off following the World Golf Championships – Cadillac Championship, with an aim to prepare for the Masters Tournament.
On the other hand, Donald’s decision to not play the event came in the light of his past record on the venue. In his four starts since 2002, he only succeeded in making the cut once.
The major reason behind this is his short hitting technique as Bay Hill has always favoured the long hitters.
Therefore, he is usually found struggling on the course. He himself said that it would be useless if he participated in the event again.
“They are the top players on tour right now in the positions that they are in. And I'm disappointed,” Palmer said.
Palmer also told about his participation in the British Open in 1960 in order to give the tournament a boost.
That was a time when Palmer was at the peak of his career and his participation in any event used to make it special.
Despite the high costs and less returns, he went to participate in the event in 1960, to bring back the popularity of the event.
"When I think back over the years, I went to the British Open to kind of enhance or to create additional interest in international golf," he said.
"And to think that those people are now the top international players in the world, we like to have them here. We have a wonderful field and we are very proud of our field, but to have a couple of the top players internationally and US not here, I'm kind
of sorry for that," he added.
According to Palmer, he received a letter from McIlroy stating that he was interested in meeting with Palmer in person and also expressed his interest in playing the event in the years to come.
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