Simply not good enough - World's best not on show at WGC

Post by sports writer Derek Clements

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The WGC Matchplay is a big deal, so to be frank, it is not good enough that some of the best players in the world are withdrawing. These players have a duty to tournament sponsors. Accenture put a mind-boggling $9m into this one tournament.

Woods withdrew, citing as his reason the fact that he would be watching his girlfriend, Lyndsey Vonn compete at Sochi in the Winter Olympics. Erm, Vonn was injured and didn't take part in the Olympics. Mickelson cited concerns about his back and if anybody out there can find a reason for Scott's withdrawal, please let me know.

If you qualify for a World Golf Championship event then you should be on the first tee. Failure to do so without a very good reason should result in a loss of world rankings points - clearly, fining these guys would be a waste of time.

The public want to see the world's best golfers; indeed they expect it. Some would have bought tickets in advance for the express purpose of watching Woods and Mickelson.

So why do they sit out these events? Is it because the players can't be bothered when there is a risk that they could be knocked out in the first round of a matchplay event? Is it because they don't need the money, even though the first prize here is $1.5m? Or is it because they are so arrogant that they believe sponsors will continue to supports tournaments even if the players themselves can't be bothered?

If you sponsor a tournament, spending millions of dollars to do so, and the players you expect to compete choose to stay at home, could anybody blame you for taking your money elsewhere?

Photo credit - Golf Channel Facebook page

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Derek Clements is a sports journalist with a particular passion for golf with over 12 years of experience covering golf and other sports including Chief Sub-Editor on the sports desk of The Sunday Times. To contact Derek email direct via [email protected]

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