Is the game of Golf disrespected by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy?
Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy opted not to play in the WGC-HSBC Champions at Mission Hills, despite being in China before the tournament kicked off.
This has come as a big surprise to many, as two of the leading players of the world decided not to play in a WGC event.
After the four ‘majors’ and the Player Championship, the World Golf Championship are rated as the most high profile competitive tournaments of the world.
Giles Morgan, the Group Head of sponsorship at HSBC, expressed utter disappointment after the world number one and two decided not to feature at Mission Hills.
Of course Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy attract the best of crowd and sponsors, their absence must have been a setback to everybody.
“Of course we’re disappointed not to have the two top players in the world,” Morgan said on Tuesday in a story in The Telegraph (UK).
“Both have sent me apologies, but this is an event which should be regarded by all players as it is by the tours and the media as one of the top events in the world”.
“Therefore I feel strongly the top players should be here. I believe golfers have a responsibility to their sponsors. Without the sponsors there isn’t professional golf. I speak on behalf of the industry”.
Tiger Woods decided not to play because he wanted some rest, plus he had some corporate commitments in Singapore.
This is the first time after 2005 that Tiger has completed a full season and his body does need some rest but playing in exhibitions and not playing in WGC is slightly unfair.
On the other hand, Rory McIlroy decided to spend some time with his girl friend, Caroline Wozniacki in Bulgaria before he could resume his bid to top the money tour list in Europe.
Rory himself needs to concentrate on the final three events of the European Tour, as he tries to match Luke Donald of 2011, winning the tour money lists on both the tours.
Yes, Morgan’s unhappiness with the players is understandable but then again players have their rights as well. After all, they are human beings. Their bodies need rest and they have other things in life as well.
Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy have both apologised to the Morgan. However, he still feels that WGC is a major event of the year and those two top notch golfers must have been here, competing.
One never knows next year their schedule may work out and they might be playing at the WGC-HSBC Champions.
However, for now these things will happen until and unless tour authorities do something about it.
The views expressed in this article are the writer's own and in no way represent Bettor.com's official editorial policy.
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