Tournament officials do not intend to offer any advice or speak to controversial John Daly ahead of his appearance in this week’s UBS Hong Kong Open.
Daly is returning to competition for a first occasion since walking off midway through the opening round of the Australian Open in Sydney.
The European Tour will not advise John Daly on his responsibilities ahead of UBS Hong Kong Open. (Photo - www.golfbytourmiss.com)
The double Major winner put numerous golf balls into a water hazard down the right side of the 11th fairway and then left The Lakes course claiming he had run out golf balls.
Daly was immediately disqualified from the event and with Australasian Tour officials reacting further by withdrawing an invitation for the 1991 PGA and 1995 British Open winner to contest the Australian PGA Championship that concluded on Sunday.
The American was later fined an undisclosed sum by the Australasian Tour for his Australian Open actions.
However UBS Hong Kong Open Tournament Director, Mikael Eriksson has no qualms about Daly competing in this week’s $US 2.75m event in suburban Fanling.
“I don’t think the European Tour or the Asian Tour need to say anything to John Daly before he tees off this week,” said Eriksson.
“And we had no thought of withdrawing his invitation after what happened in the Australian Open as it had nothing to do with us.
“The event was not co-sanctioned with Europe so we cannot interfere with whatever they elect to do.
“If the Australasian Tour feels as though he has to be fined then we leave it them to handle.”
But then there were also the actions in Sydney of Daly’s partner who was seen pushing a camera from the face of Getty Images, Dave Cannon and one of most experienced and respected golf photographers.
The incident is now widely watched on ‘You Tube’.
But then Daly also walked off during the opening round of the Austrian Open last September after not agreeing with a ruling and later fines by the European Tour for his actions.
Once again, Daly’s American-born partner was also at the centre of the issue having taken pictures on her mobile phone of where Daly was supposed to have breached the rules, and was then observed showing them to rules officials in Austria.
“We dealt with that matter in Austria and John took it on board, so as far as we are concerned that issue is closed,” added Eriksson.
“But then we don’t want the behaviour what happened in Austria or Australia and if things happen like that with any player then we will deal with it, and when it happens, and if it happens.
“So if I do see John then I will welcome him like any other competitor here this week.”
Tournament sponsor, UBS have shown faith in the 45-year old as he appears alongside defending Hong Kong Open champion Ian Poulter along with triple Major winner, Padraig Harrington, U.S. Open champion Rory McIlroy and Y. E. Yang on posters and billboards about the Special Administrative Region.
The $US 2.75m event commences Thursday.
