Reigning French Open champion Thomas Levet has withdrawn from next month’s $US 7.5m WGC – HSBC Champions event because of Chinese bed bugs.
Levet has only recently returned to competition after breaking his leg in a victory leap following his success at his own French Open in Versailles.
Either bed bugs or washing powder forces Thomas Levet to withdraw from WGC - HSBC Champions. (Photo - www.golffile.ie)
Victory earned the Parisian a start in Shanghai but the 43-year old has turned down the opportunity to pocket the near Euro 900,000 first prize cheque.
“I’ve been to the Shanghai for three years and each time I always loose about six to seven kilograms in weight,” he said in Portugal.
“And the three times I’ve been out there I always end up having to call the doctor about two o’clock in the morning because I am covered in spots and a rash and I’m shivering badly.
“I don’t know whether it’s the food, the beds or the washing powder they wash the bed sheets in or whether they’re bed bugs or what but it just drives me crazy.
“Then when the doctor comes he can’t understand a word of French or English.
”So in the times I’ve played out in Shanghai I’ve never enjoyed it.
“And I know I am turning down the chance of a big first prize cheque but I would rather be at home in my own bed and not having to wake up in the middle of the night to call for a doctor.”
Instead, Levet will head a week later to Singapore to contect the Barclays Singapore Open.
Levet will now joins the likes of Tiger Woods and no doubt Padraig Harrington in not contesting the final WGC of the season.
Harrington, currently ranked 78th in the world, needs to win the Portugal Masters to be assured of breaking back into top-25 on the rankings that would qualify him for the Shanghai event.
Cut-off point for qualification is at the close of play in Europe and the States on Sunday.
