HSBC World Matchplay

[Kilted Arab]

Why does this event get snubbed by the Americans?

" Sept. 22 (Bloomberg) -- HSBC Holdings Plc, Europe's biggest
bank by market value, said it may increase the prize money at the
World Match Play Championship and seek to move the event in a bid
to attract top U.S. golfers including Tiger Woods.
The 16-player tournament already pays the winner 1 million
pounds ($1.8 million), the biggest first prize in golf. U.S. Open
champion Michael Campbell beat Paul McGinley in the Sept. 18
final to win the 42nd edition at Wentworth Golf Club in southern
England.
``We've learned that 1 million pounds isn't enough,''
William Parry, head of sponsorship and events at HSBC, said in an
interview in London today. ``We may address the money for first-
round losers. We're also looking at the calendar and players'
travel schedules.''
Players led by world No. 5 Retief Goosen last week
criticized Americans including Woods and PGA champion Phil
Mickelson for rebuffing invites to the event. This year's edition
was the first in the championship's 41-year history that featured
no Americans.
A first-class air ticket, a free house with a chef on the
Wentworth estate, where players including Ernie Els and Thomas
Bjorn have mansions, and the promise of $110,000 for a first-
round loss couldn't persuade Woods, Mickelson or Davis Love III
to take part.
In a bid to entice top players from the U.S. PGA Tour, HSBC
has already succeeded in getting the championship sanctioned for
world ranking and Ryder Cup points. The bank, in the third year
of a 10-year accord to sponsor the tournament, also persuaded the
European Tour to move this year's event forward a month to avoid
England's October chill."

[Bravo]

It is a legitimate question...my theories...

1) Coming home with little money after suffering a first round loss.

2) Lack of confidence in the match play format.

I think William Parry is making all the right moves in getting the event sanctioned for Ryder Cup and World Ranking points and evaluating the funds for a first round loss. Maybe he should talk with the players themselves and ask them. I don't know if this is televised in NA either...

[EDSGolf]

Money talks and...........

They need to increase the pay cheque! It's all relative.....we wouldn't do something if it wasn't worth our time, I know it sounds kind of bad, but it's the truth. These players play for a good portion of the year and maybe want to spend some time with their families.

[Kilted Arab]

Originally Posted by EDSGolf

Money talks and...........

They need to increase the pay cheque! It's all relative.....we wouldn't do something if it wasn't worth our time, I know it sounds kind of bad, but it's the truth. These players play for a good portion of the year and maybe want to spend some time with their families.

It's the largest winning cheque in World Golf.

[Kilted Arab]

Originally Posted by Bravo

It is a legitimate question...my theories...

1) Coming home with little money after suffering a first round loss.

2) Lack of confidence in the match play format.

I think William Parry is making all the right moves in getting the event sanctioned for Ryder Cup and World Ranking points and evaluating the funds for a first round loss. Maybe he should talk with the players themselves and ask them. I don't know if this is televised in NA either...

1. "A first-class air ticket, a free house with a chef on the
Wentworth estate, where players including Ernie Els and Thomas
Bjorn have mansions, and the promise of $110,000 for a first-
round loss" How many other tournaments offer this for first round losers/entrants who fail to make the cut?

2. You could be right. The big names don't want to risk losing to "lesser" players in a head-to-head. In other words, cowardice!