OFFICIALS AT THE BMW Masters expressed disappointment at the absence of crowd-puller Rory McIlroy, but said they respected his decision to pull out of the European Tour event.
The world number one is taking time away from golf to prepare for his multi-million dollar legal case against his former management company in Ireland.
The absence of the mercurial Northern Irishman, who has won two majors this year, threatens to take the gloss off the first event on the European Tour’s “Final Four” series of big money events.
McIlroy’s absence, announced eight days ago, was still the subject of much talk around the practice greens at Lake Malaren as finishing touches were put to the course for Thursday’s opening round.
“We are very sorry that Rory McIlroy will not tee off at the BMW Masters for the first time since the tournament has been held,” BMW’s tournament director Marco Kaussler told AFP.
We obviously understand the disappointment of the many golf fans in China, but we respect his decision.”
The tournament suffered a second blow on Tuesday with the confirmation that world number five Henrik Stenson would also miss the event. His wife Emma gave birth on Sunday in Florida.
The weakened field means that Welshman Jamie Donaldson, currently fourth in the Race to Dubai standings, is the leading European player in the field.
He is one of only a handful of players with a slim chance of catching runaway leader McIlroy in the standings.
“Obviously it would be great to have Rory here,” Donaldson told AFP.
“I don’t know the ins and outs of why he’s not playing here but I’m sure he’ll be back playing as strong as ever,” he said, before heading out in Wednesday’s pro-am.
Donaldson admitted it was going to be a tall order to catch McIlroy and he might have to win an improbable two or three of the final four tournaments to do it.
“I’m just trying to put myself into contention as many times as I can for four weeks and see if I can go better than last year and pick up wins,” said Donaldson.
It’s mathematically possible to catch him, but it’s one hell of a stretch.”
Donaldson has enjoyed the best year of his career, capped off with a maiden Ryder Cup appearance that saw him hit a wedge to within inches of the pin in the Sunday singles to secure the winning point for Europe.
“Best week of my life in golf. Cinderella story, wasn’t it?” Donaldson said.
“You know I was blessed, or whatever you want to call it, that it came down to my game and I was able to hit the best wedge shot in my life at that time. You can’t make it up, can you?”
Well done Ulster, great result.
Well done Ulster. A home fixture is deserved at this stage.
Well done ulster but after this result against an average side ulster fans think they’re going to win the world Cup and should have 15 players on the lions, it’s absolutely hilarious
@Michael Oats: what’s with the sour grapes? They got their deserved win and the fans are within their rights to celebrate and dream of big things. The Challenge Cup is not an easy competition to win either, the ruthless needed in the knock out stages is as ferocious as you’d expect and fair dues to Ulster for the win. As for players on the Lions that depends on Gats and what he wants from individuals fitting into HIS team, not the performance of Ulster as a team.
@Michael Oats: Michael, you need to get out a little more. Where did this come from? As. Leinster fan, I cheered them to the finish an celebrated a great performance. It augurs well for the future of both Ulster and Irish rugby. What was it Brendan Behan said about the begrudgers?
@SPQH: ah theres no sour grapes here. I actually like Dan mcfarland as a coach – has been very good everywhere he’s coached – and some of the players are alright club players too tbf. It’s the fans that make them out to be spartan warriors and world beaters after every game they win against poor opposition gets me in fits of laughter every time… On a side note “Gats” You know him personally do ya? Lol
@Michael Oats: you are a very embittered Musterman. I won’t call you a Munster supporter as they are fair-minded.
@Michael Oats: that’s a very odd comment to be making unprompted. Just say well done and ignore the chip on your shoulder
@Trevor Johnston: Munster Abu trev
@Michael Oats: why so bitter? That’s 2 away wins on the trot in England, and Saints are a decent side. It’s a great win and chance of a cup. And a couple of Lions is a possibility, don’t be so odd
@Michael Oats: They probably are the 2nd best province
@Trevor Johnston: he is probably just annoyed that if Ulster won silverware, Munster will be the only province not to have won a competition in the last decade.
@Michael Oats: troll harder
@Joe Vlogs: I rather we didn’t win a second rate trophy tbh. Challenge Cup against what? English teams rolling out second strings. Treviso were in the quarter final and agen were in the last 16, neither of those teams have won a game all year. But go on ulster have your day. Lol
@rugbyanbeer: this is the kind of fan I’m talking about. Hahaha
@Michael Oats: ulster play a great brand of rugby and have been the 2nd best side in the league and in Ireland for a while now. Some of their home grown talent are simply fantastic rugby players. You need to find a different sport if you can’t appreciate how ulster play rugby.
@Michael Oats: a) I’m not from Ulster b) I guess that explains why Munster don’t win anything…they don’t really want to, you know. Saving their tinder for the Rainbow cup or something serious like that.
Congratulations Ulster
Great win and have to say did not look likely at HT. Hope Lowrey learns a lot from that game for he is an exciting prospect. …..but he’s not going to suck in defenders and offload in the tackle very often and running up blind alleys gets him turned over like you would a baby in a cot. His strength is that he’s a space user not a space creator . Get him running off the shoulders of fellas that can take the hit and offload in the tackle and not sure 15 is suited to him…might be worth giving him a protracted run at 10. Played last night like a chap that has started to believe the hype. Some of his decision making was poor.
@Michael Murray: not his best game. Hopefully he will learn.
@Trevor Johnston: …looks every inch a footballer….I’m sure he will. Given he is such a unique package with incredible potential ,his coaches and mentors have a hell of a responsibility to help get the best out of himself and reach his full potential.
@Michael Murray: to be fair he is a 10 playing at 15. He has been impressive in general but these blips will happen
@Dave O Keeffe: I know and that makes it even more important that he’s looked after particularly well.
@Michael Murray: Super talented but because of his size has to be used properly. Has the skills for 10 but I doubt he’d be able for the hits Sexton has taken over the years.
FB would appear to be his best option. Wasn’t great yesterday but any player can have an off day.
After 2 away wins Ulster definitely deserve a home game. Great for Irish rugby if they can pull it off.