The Australian PGA Championship lost one of its main draws Tuesday when former FedEx Cup champion Brandt Snedeker was forced to withdraw from this week's event in Queensland due to a knee injury.
Details on how the injury arose were not immediately available. Snedeker made his 2013-14 season debut last week in China at the WGC-HSBC Champions, where he tied for 55th, but did not board a flight from Shanghai to Brisbane on Monday.
“The most important thing is of course Brandt’s health,” said Brian Thorburn, chief executive officer of the PGA of Australia. "Brandt is a player who is held in very high regard wherever he goes, and while we're obviously disappointed he won't be playing this week, our thoughts are with him and we wish him a speedy recovery."
Phil Mickelson to play Abu Dhabi Championship in 2014
Phil Mickelson's path toward a shorter schedule in 2014 took another interesting turn Wednesday when the reigning British Open champion committed to play in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship on the European Tour.
Mickelson's presence adds to what was already an elite field in Abu Dhabi, one that will include former world No. 1 Rory McIlroy and reigning U.S. Open champion Justin Rose. This will be the 43-year-old's second appearance in the event, as he also tied for 37th in 2011.
"To play Abu Dhabi in the early part of the year is a great opportunity," said Mickelson. "I've wanted to return since my first time there in 2011. The golf course and facilities at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club are outstanding and the quality of the field and the good weather make it a great place to start my 2014 season."
Mickelson's presence adds to what was already an elite field in Abu Dhabi, one that will include former world No. 1 Rory McIlroy and reigning U.S. Open champion Justin Rose. This will be the 43-year-old's second appearance in the event, as he also tied for 37th in 2011.
"To play Abu Dhabi in the early part of the year is a great opportunity," said Mickelson. "I've wanted to return since my first time there in 2011. The golf course and facilities at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club are outstanding and the quality of the field and the good weather make it a great place to start my 2014 season."
China Professional Golf Tour to Debut in 2014
A partnership between the China Golf Association, PGA TOUR and event promoter China Olympic Sports Industry (COSI) has established a new professional golf tour in China that will begin play in 2014 with 12 tournaments throughout the country.
The creation of PGA TOUR China was announced Sunday by PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem; Zhang Xiaoning, Vice President and Secretary General of the CGA; and Sun Liping, President of COSI, at Sheshan International Golf Club, site of this week’s World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions.
PGA TOUR China, which also will be open to professionals outside of China, will move geographically throughout the country. Fields are expected to be between 120 and 156 players and purses will be in the $200,000 range per tournament. Plans are to increase the number of events after the first year.
The creation of PGA TOUR China was announced Sunday by PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem; Zhang Xiaoning, Vice President and Secretary General of the CGA; and Sun Liping, President of COSI, at Sheshan International Golf Club, site of this week’s World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions.
PGA TOUR China, which also will be open to professionals outside of China, will move geographically throughout the country. Fields are expected to be between 120 and 156 players and purses will be in the $200,000 range per tournament. Plans are to increase the number of events after the first year.
Ernie Els Rips European Tour over Playing Requirement
Ernie Els is so disgusted by the European Tour's increased playing requirements that he is willing to pass up a chance at $8 million to protest them.
According to a Reuters report, Els objects to the tour's new regulation that its members must play two of the three events leading into Dubai to be eligible for next week's $8 million season finale.
Els called the requirement "farcical" and "an absolute joke."
Els, who is a member of both the U.S. and European tours, said he understood why the European Tour wants its top players to play more of the big-money Asian tournaments.
According to a Reuters report, Els objects to the tour's new regulation that its members must play two of the three events leading into Dubai to be eligible for next week's $8 million season finale.
Els called the requirement "farcical" and "an absolute joke."
Els, who is a member of both the U.S. and European tours, said he understood why the European Tour wants its top players to play more of the big-money Asian tournaments.
Matsuyama withdraws from HSBC-Champions
Japanese sensation Hideki Matsuyama withdrew from the WGC-HSBC Champions Friday, citing a bad back.
Though the 2013-14 PGA Tour season is less than a month old, this marks the second time the 21-year-old has been forced to withdraw from an event. He left the field at the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open last month shortly before his opening-round tee time, citing illness.
Matsuyama carded two birdies against a lone bogey Thursday at Sheshan International Golf Club en route to a 1-under 71 that left him six shots off the pace through one round. He withdrew Friday before the start of his second round.
Now up to No. 28 in the latest world rankings, Matsuyama has had a successful year since turning professional in April. The 21-year-old has won three times on the Asian Tour and qualified for last month's Presidents Cup, in which he compiled a 1-3-1 individual record. He tied for third at the season-opening Frys.com Open, his best career PGA Tour finish to date, and tied for 25th last week at the CIMB Classic in Malaysia.
Via PGA Tour
Though the 2013-14 PGA Tour season is less than a month old, this marks the second time the 21-year-old has been forced to withdraw from an event. He left the field at the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open last month shortly before his opening-round tee time, citing illness.
Matsuyama carded two birdies against a lone bogey Thursday at Sheshan International Golf Club en route to a 1-under 71 that left him six shots off the pace through one round. He withdrew Friday before the start of his second round.
Now up to No. 28 in the latest world rankings, Matsuyama has had a successful year since turning professional in April. The 21-year-old has won three times on the Asian Tour and qualified for last month's Presidents Cup, in which he compiled a 1-3-1 individual record. He tied for third at the season-opening Frys.com Open, his best career PGA Tour finish to date, and tied for 25th last week at the CIMB Classic in Malaysia.
Via PGA Tour
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