HSBC Disappointed By McIlroy and Woods Snub

Sponsors of this week’s WGC Champions event have spoken out to criticise world number one Rory McIlroy and 14-times major winner Tiger Woods for turning down the chance to play in the presitgious tournament in China.

HSBC’s worldwide Head of Sponsorship Giles Morgan said: “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.

“We are looking at a true world golf championship. As a sponsor we can provide the prize money and all of the wonderful facilities for spectators, customers, the media etc. But the one thing you need of course is the players.

“We believe very strongly in supporting golf around the world at all levels because we believe the sport has great potential to grow. But in order to showcase itself particularly in emerging markets for golf such as China we feel as many of the top players should be here.”

The pair are missing the event at Mission Hills Golf Club to recuperate after a long run of tournaments, which included an 18 hole exhibition match on Monday at Jinsha Lake in China.

McIlroy is now in Bulgaria watching his tennis-playing girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki competing, while Woods moved on to Singapore to fulfill corporate engagements.

Morgan also sent out a warning to golfs biggest stars, saying: “Without the sponsors there isn’t professional golf and I speak on behalf of the industry. Here in China we have built something very big, very quickly so we need to continue to try to invest and encourage people to play.
 
“I feel very strongly as I know a number of sponsors do, that particularly in a downturn, particularly when there are financial difficulties around the world, that golf cannot be immune.”
 
The $7 million WGC Champions event starts on Thursday and has the most wolrd rankings points on offer outside the four majors.