Spain’s Miguel Angel Jimenez and Europe’s oldest-ever champion has criticized the appearance of the Tour’s youngest-ever competitor in this week’s Omega European Masters in Switzerland.
China’s Wo-cheng Ye was aged just 12 year and 242 days when he contested May’s Volvo China Open at Tianjin.
Three weeks earlier, 14-year old countryman Guan Tianlang became the youngest to compete at the Masters at Augusta National.
Wo-cheng Ye appearance in the Omega European Masters causing controversy.
However Jimenez, who was aged 48 years and 318 days in capturing last year’s Hong Kong Open and was introduced to Ye today (WED) on the Crans-sur-Sierre practice range, is at odds with a sponsor’s decision to afford Ye an invitation to compete this week in Switzerland.
“It is nice to see that golf is interesting no matter what the age but for me, a 13-year old competing against professionals is a little a bit too young,” said the Spaniard.
“People want to start things too early and a 13-year old should be playing alongside other 13 year olds and not players averaging 33 years of age.
“No doubt the sponsor wants publicity for the tournament but then it seems you have to go looking for under age players to promote yourself.
“I’m sorry this should not be allowed.
“As I said it is just far too early and it’s nice to see them playing game but you have to take players a decent age.
“So they should not be pushing kids his age to hard as it could have an disastrous effect on their careers.
“I hope he enjoys himself this week but then I saw him hitting practice balls this morning and he looked very nervous, and he should not be that position.”
Ye will play the opening two rounds in the company of 35-year old Austrian Martin Wiegele and 43-year old former Swiss winner, Mathias Gronberg of Sweden.
However the New Jersey-based Gronberg, who has an 11-year old daughter, disagrees with his fellow Swiss champion.Gronberg, who is 30 years older than Ye, can see the promotional worth of having the teenager in the field.
“It’s going to be awesome playing with the young fellow and I will look forward to it,” said the Swede.
“It is where the game it at the present time and as golfers, we are in the entertainment business and it’s a sport there for the crowds.
“I am sure there will be hundreds of thousands Chinese people that will tune into the golf on TV this week just to watch and follow Je compete here in Switzerland.
“So it would be absolute silly not to market that opportunity and I am sure the Masters officials were pleased and happy when that 14-year old, also from China, did so well to make the cut and then finish the leading amateur.
“I had the same view when Michelle Wie played up here and also in the John Deere Classic because it is sponsors who pay our salary.”
