The Stayaway Six

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Other than the Open we have to go back to the PGA at Wentworth in May for the last time our UK big six of Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter, Luke Donald and Graeme McDowell played together in an event on European the tour.

How many turning up for the Dunhill? - not many if any I suspect.

The European Tour basically made these guys - and we don't see them on it any more. Are we surprised, disappointed or pragmatic. Have they abandoned the ET and us as spectators and their most ardent supporters. Surely they don't need the money - so what's going on - have they been smitten by the US celebrity sportsman bug and got rather self-important?

 

[FairwayDodger]

Other than the Open we have to go back to the PGA at Wentworth in May for the last time our UK big six of Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter, Luke Donald and Graeme McDowell played together in an event on European the tour.

How many turning up for the Dunhill? - not many if any I suspect.

The European Tour basically made these guys - and we don't see them on it any more. Are we surprised, disappointed or pragmatic. Have they abandoned the ET and us as spectators and their most ardent supporters. Surely they don't need the money - so what's going on - have they been smitten by the US celebrity sportsman bug and got rather self-important?

More money and better weather (usually) over there, I know where I'd be playing given the choice. Def don't begrudge LW going over there - supported the ET for many years and he's trying to do something to crack a major.

I agree with your wider point though, it'd be nice to see them playing a bit more over here.

 

[HawkeyeMS]

Other than the Open we have to go back to the PGA at Wentworth in May for the last time our UK big six of Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter, Luke Donald and Graeme McDowell played together in an event on European the tour.

How many turning up for the Dunhill? - not many if any I suspect.

The European Tour basically made these guys - and we don't see them on it any more. Are we surprised, disappointed or pragmatic. Have they abandoned the ET and us as spectators and their most ardent supporters. Surely they don't need the money - so what's going on - have they been smitten by the US celebrity sportsman bug and got rather self-important?

Most of those guys didn't turn up for the BMW PGA from what I saw. They may have been there, but they certainly didn't look like they wanted to be.

 

[Hacker Khan]

I'm pragmatic, money and a better lifestyle talks. I think the use of the phrase that sports people do not need the money is a bit naive. Unless you are Bill Gates rich, it's not as if any person in any form of employment gets to a point and then suddenly says 'that's it, I have enough money'. So why should they. I am sure there are a lot of us on here that picked up lots of skills and were developed by one company, and then went to work for another company for more money. And we don't go back to the old one. And I am sure they would all argue they do a lot of work for charidee which is their form of giving back for others.

Also one could argue that the European tour did not make someone like McDowell who's big breakthrough was the US Open, possibly the same for Rory who's biggest successes have come in the US. And I could also possibly argue with the fact that there are the most ardent supporters on the european tour. Yes in the Ryder Cup, but Rory used to get plenty of support in the US as did others.

As already mentioned, it's a better way of life over there, the weather is better, they can practice all year round outside without the need for 3 base layers and there is more money on offer for the tournaments. Living the dream...

 

[jp5]

I think the European Tour need to look at why these top players are lured away. Obviously they can't do anything about the weather but perhaps playing in a field in Bulgaria in front of one man and his dog doesn't have the same appeal as the tournaments in the US. A few more tournaments where the crowds are (UK) would help for a start.

 

[Deleted member 1147]

A few more tournaments where the crowds are (UK) would help for a start.

From what I could see the crowds at Celtic Manor (welsh Open) weren't very big, but Italy & Holland both had loads of people following the home favourites.

 

[Stub]

Don't resent the 6 not playing here as the ET seems to have abandoned England anyway as a venue for tournaments. Would not see more of them live if they played the ET so might as well watch them on the box in the US..

 

[talksalot81]

I think the European Tour need to look at why these top players are lured away. Obviously they can't do anything about the weather but perhaps playing in a field in Bulgaria in front of one man and his dog doesn't have the same appeal as the tournaments in the US. A few more tournaments where the crowds are (UK) would help for a start.

I like that. You are right that the crowds often seem rather limited but that isn't the case in the UK. It was absolute mayhem when the Irish Open came to NI - whether golfer or otherwise, everyone was talking about it and wanting to have some experience of it. How can we manage to get one big event in dozens of years when other places, with no crowds to speak of, get them year after year. Well, I know the answer but that does not help the ET image.

As a ps. some of the 'six' are worse than others. I have to admit that I was very turned off Rory with some of the remarks he made. It isn't shunning the ET rather his former home. It is nice when he wins but he is the golden boy in NI and he really doesn't seem to care.

 

[Hunka Turf]

I think the use of the phrase that sports people do not need the money is a bit naive. Unless you are Bill Gates rich, it's not as if any person in any form of employment gets to a point and then suddenly says 'that's it, I have enough money'.

On the subject of money, I heard Justin Rose talking about the Fed Ex Cup last week and he said something along the lines of “well, $10 million could really make a huge difference to your life” and I couldn’t help thinking…really?! You’re already worth tens of millions (and counting!)

Gives an insight in to players’ attitudes towards money.

 

[groundskeeperwilly]

I like that. You are right that the crowds often seem rather limited but that isn't the case in the UK. It was absolute mayhem when the Irish Open came to NI - whether golfer or otherwise, everyone was talking about it and wanting to have some experience of it. How can we manage to get one big event in dozens of years when other places, with no crowds to speak of, get them year after year. Well, I know the answer but that does not help the ET image.

That Irish Open was really well attended and from all accounts the players, tour officials and fans had a great time. Think they were actually worried that too many spectators would go wernt they? Surely hope for future events in NI.

If there was an event with a £10 million purse in UK/Europe do you thin the stay away 6 plus Woods, Mickleson etc would be there? I'd say yes. What if it was in Bulgaria, Russia etc?

 

[Deleted member 1147]

I just see it as them doing their jobs.
They currently work for the better paying employer, the PGA tour, & the FedEx Cup is their equivalent of the Xmas bonus.

I don't blame them for going to the states, good weather, big crowds, more ranking points, less travelling and loads a money.

 

[Berger]

Money is obviously a factor. The prize funds in the PGA events are normally at least double what they the ET corresponding event is offering. For example, the Irish Open this year had a prize fund of €2m while the AT&T that same weekend had almost €5m prize money.

Having said that i don't think the money factor is the only reason. The PGA Tour is the strongest tour in world golf with the best players playing week in week out. If you want to be a top golfer then you have to compete against the best there is and i think that plays a big part in the european players decision.

 

[JustOne]

I would want to play against Woods/Mickelson, if the European Tour can't lure them over here then I'd go over there.

The European tour seems like it's dying a death sometimes. I think they're considering Lydd as a venue

 

[pokerjoke]

Imo if we had tournament that had a prize of 10 million they would be
clambering over each other to play even if it was peeing down and freezing.
That's short term.
However long term it makes sense to play in America,yes its where the money is,the climates great etc.
Players chase money,its in all sports,golfs no different.
However there comes a time when money shouldn't be the motive,especially in someone
like Tigers life,surely 19 majors and going down in history as the best ever is greater incentive
than being a billionaire.

 

[philly169]

Most of those guys didn't turn up for the BMW PGA from what I saw. They may have been there, but they certainly didn't look like they wanted to be.

they were all on a plane to monaco GP on the friday night...

 

[williamalex1]

Other than the Open we have to go back to the PGA at Wentworth in May for the last time our UK big six of Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter, Luke Donald and Graeme McDowell played together in an event on European the tour.

How many turning up for the Dunhill? - not many if any I suspect.

The European Tour basically made these guys - and we don't see them on it any more. Are we surprised, disappointed or pragmatic. Have they abandoned the ET and us as spectators and their most ardent supporters. Surely they don't need the money - so what's going on - have they been smitten by the US celebrity sportsman bug and got rather self-important?

I think they just went for the better life style, weather, money etc. Just as you did, do they still get a vote ?

 

[Brian_C]

I think it would be a great idea if a European player wants to make the Ryder Cup team then they have to play, 12 (or some other number) tournaments in the preceding 2 years.

Someone mentioned earlier that the ET has abandoned the UK as there are no tournaments on here anymore, I reckon the financial conditions and cost of running such an event in the UK has seen to that. If a suitable sponsor with the suitable readies was found the tournament would happen, end of!! Though, it would always been seen as the poor little brother to the The Open, is that what sponsors want?

 

[Hacker Khan]

On the subject of money, I heard Justin Rose talking about the Fed Ex Cup last week and he said something along the lines of “well, $10 million could really make a huge difference to your life” and I couldn’t help thinking…really?! You’re already worth tens of millions (and counting!)

Gives an insight in to players’ attitudes towards money.

But wasn't he only telling the truth?

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

I think they just went for the better life style, weather, money etc. Just as you did, do they still get a vote ?

I came south for a job as there weren't any in Scotland - remember!?

And yes - they probably do all get a vote in the General Election - maybe not Luke Donald as he has probably lived outsideof the UK for >15yrs. But the rest will. Wonder where they pay their taxes?

 

[williamalex1]

I came south for a job as there weren't any in Scotland - remember!?

And yes - they probably do all get a vote in the General Election - maybe not Luke Donald as he has probably lived outsideof the UK for >15yrs. But the rest will. Wonder where they pay their taxes?

What took you so long, gotcha. :thup: