Double major winning Martin Kaymer has pulled the plug on competing in this coming week’s BMW PGA Championship claiming he doesn’t feel welcome contesting the flagship DP World Tour event.
Kaymer was set to be among 19 LIV Golf players included in the field to tee-up on the famed West Course, however the 37-year-old has informed Wentworth officials he’ll now be a no show.
“Of course, there will be friction there, that’s why I’m not going,” said Kaymer at this week’s LIV Golf Invitational Boston.
“I don’t need to go to a place where, feel-wise, you’re not that welcome. They don’t say it, but it’s there.”
Despite Kaymer’s withdrawal there will be many fellow LIV Golf stars teeing-up including many of his former European Ryder Cup teammates in Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood, Graeme McDowell and Sergio Garcia, along with Patrick Reed, Abraham Ancer, Talor Gooch and Kevin Na.
The LIV Golf stars have gained entry into the BMW PGA via their present top-60 placings in the World Rankings and also after winning court approval in July to compete in the Genesis Scottish Open.
Kaymer’s won 23 times around the globe including 11 times on the DP World Tour but insists if he’s not happy teeing-up, then why make the effort to travel to leafy Surrey.
“‘I do love the European Tour and I do like Wentworth; I think it’s a flagship event that people like to participate in,” Kaymer said.
“But under those circumstances, I try to stay in the area where the energy is high, where the energy is positive.
“I don’t know why I should fly to England, and play on the golf course for four or five days where you are not that welcome, I would say.
“It has nothing to do with the European Tour or the players or anything like that … but where we are right now in professional golf, I try to stay away. I will wait until everything settles”.
We know the DP World Tour is not about to roll out the red carpet for the 18 LIV golfers with the dozen-and-a-half players being advised they will not play in the pro-am, nor will they feature in any of the ‘star’ three-balls over the opening two rounds.
As well, the LIV players have been advised not to wear any attire featuring a LIV Golf logo. Such a move not to wear LIV Golf logos goes against the contracts the breakaway players have signed including Patrick Reed who turned-up to the 150th Open Championship adorned with LIV Golf logos.
The biggest BMW PGA news item could be how the very outspoken Rory McIlroy is going to be received by the LIV Golf players given his remarks immediately following capturing last week’s PGA Tour season-ending Tour Championship.
“If you believe in something, I think you have to speak up, and I believe very strongly about this,” said McIlroy. “I hate what it’s doing to the game of golf. I hate it. I really do.
“I believe what I’m saying is the right thing, and I think when you believe that what you are saying is the right thing, you are happy to stick your neck out on the line.”
Kaymer, who played in the same 2012, 2014 and ’16 Ryder Cup, remains hopeful the warring tour’s can get together and work out something for the bigger picture better of the game,
“The hope is absolutely there,” Kaymer said. “I just don’t know if the main people in charge of all the tours … are able to put egos and personal stuff behind and focus on the big picture in the game of golf.
“I think it’s very good for the game of golf what’s happening with LIV and what’s happening with the PGA Tour now. All those things are good for the players, and I do hope and do believe that maybe in two or three years things will change and will turn out good.”
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