Golf: McIlroy, Woods criticised for no-show

Giles Morgan says he's disappointed the top two players will not be a part of this week's WGC-Champions event.

SHENZHEN: The sponsors of this week’s WGC-Champions event have criticised world number one Rory McIlroy and 14-times major winner Tiger Woods for turning down the chance to play in the tournament. McIlroy is in Bulgaria watching his girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki competing, while second-ranked Woods moved on to Singapore to fulfil corporate engagements.

“On the one hand we have by far and away the strongest field in Asia this year, 13 of the top 20 are here. But of course we are disappointed the top two are not here,” HSBC’s worldwide Head of Sponsorship Giles Morgan told reporters. “As a sponsor we can provide the prize money and all of the wonderful facilities for spectators, customers, the media. But the one thing you need of course is the players.” The $7 million WGC-Champions event starts today.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 1^st, 2012.