By Simon Evans
ORLANDO, Florida, March 21 (Reuters) – Arnold Palmer has
expressed his disappointment at the world’s top players,
particularly Rory McIlroy, who opted not to compete in his
annual tournament, starting at Bay Hill on Thursday.
While Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson will headline the $6
million invitational, the top six ranked players in the world,
including world number one Luke Donald and number two McIlroy,
are all absent from the penultimate PGA Tour event before next
month’s Masters.
“I’m disappointed that they are not here, no question about
it,” Palmer told reporters on Wednesday.
“I’m certainly not happy that those fellas chose not to come
this year. We are doing everything we can to entice them to come
and play.”
Palmer, a seven time major winner, said he was especially
disappointed that McIlroy, the reigning U.S. Open champion and a
crowd favourite in America, did not enter, taking a gentle jibe
at the way he told him.
“I had a letter from Rory seeking my consultation and (he)
told me he wasn’t coming. And of course that made me feel
great,” Palmer said with a wry smile.
“And if you believe that, I’ll talk to you outside
afterwards.”
Also missing from the tournament are Donald’s fellow
Englishman Lee Westood, ranked three in the world, as well as
Germany’s Martin Kaymer (four), American Steve Stricker (five)
and South Africa’s Charl Schwartzel, last year’s Masters
champion.
Continued…
