Rory McIlroy is just one individual in the game of golf and will not be missed at this week’s WGC – HSBC Champions event in Shanghai.
There will also be no lamenting the non-appearance of five-time Major winning and past champion Phil Mickelson along with defending title holder Dustin Johnson from teeing up on the Sheshan course.
This is the view of Giles Morgan, Global Head of Sponsorship and Events for HSBC after McIlroy’s last-minute move to withdraw from both Shanghai events and concentrate of preparing himself for next February’s Dublin High Court showdown with his former management company.
Morgan is one of the most respected individuals outside of those heading the organising bodies in professional golf, and when he speaks those running golf listen.
Earlier this year Morgan made it clear during the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship that the all-male stance of the R & A could have repercussions if golf’s ruling body didn’t allow women members.
HSBC’s Giles Morgan says the 2014 WGC – HSBC Champions won’t miss Rory McIlroy.
Two years ago here in Shanghai Morgan lambasted then World No. 1 Tiger Woods over a decision to accept a £1.25m appearance fee to play an exhibition match against McIlroy and not remain in China later that particular week to compete in the HSBC Champions.
“This tournament has to be bigger than the individual,” said Morgan at the time.
However two years on Morgan is slightly more relaxed and instead is happy to boast, even in the absence of McIlroy, this year’s 10th anniversary WGC – HSBC Champions features a tournament best of 30 of the world’s top-40.
“This year’s field is strong and I don’t believe any individual is bigger than the game,” said Morgan.
“Tiger was unable to play on a few occasions and this year he’s still injured, but I have no doubt whoever the World No. 1 is, and whether is it Rory or someone else, such is the growth of the game in China they will be back.
“All of the great players have been here in the last 10 years and they will continue to do so. The law of geography right now has Sheshan on the golfing calendar and you are always going to lose a few players.
“So we are quite sanguine about that. We know Phil’s had a punishing season and he’s quite tired and it that’s his decision then we are going to respect any players decision.
“The key for us is to continue to invest in this tournament and we know that if we are going to get 80% of the top players at this point of the season we are in a good place.
“So we respect Rory’s decision. He feels at the moment he is not able to play with what is going on from a personal point of view. That’s his decision and that’s how it is and theirs is nothing you can do about it.”
However in contrast to last week’s BMW Masters, HSBC promoters have managed to ‘hide’ any promotional material such as billboards, posters and programs featuring the absent McIlroy.
“Of course it’s disappointing Rory is not here this week but it doesn’t detract anything from the tournament,” added Morgan.
“We still have a wonderful tournament to be played on a great golf course, and with many people watching.
“So, of course, we would like to see the best players in the world competing this week but at the same time it is how it is and there is nothing you can do about it.
“It’s their responsibility to turn up and play where they want to play golf and it’s our responsibility to create a stage for them to come and play.”
