Money talks as Euro stars opt for the Orient

THE European Tour and sponsors, the Andalucian Tourist Board, must have been furious the Andalucian Masters was bypassed by many marquee names in favour of the Shanghai Masters.

Tue, 01 Nov, 2011 - 00:00

Charlie Mulqueen, Talking Golf

That Chinese event is not recognised by any of the game’s major Tours and accordingly didn’t carry any world ranking, European Tour Race to Dubai or Ryder Cup points.

However, the lure of the mighty dollar — the event in China carried a prize fund of $5m (€3.5m), with $2m (€1.42m) for the winner, and substantial appearance money for the elite 30-strong field — proved too great for a number of Europe’s finest.

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Courts Golf Place: China Place: Europe Place: Wentworth Place: Congressional Country Club Place: Valderrama Place: Dunhill Links Place: Shanghai Place: Sheshan International Place: Spain Person: Rory McIlroy Person: Lee Westwood Person: Padraig Harrington Person: Paul Casey Person: Ian Poulter Person: McIlroy Person: Harrington Person: Darren Clarke Person: Graeme McDowell Person: Sergio Garcia Person: Miguel-Angel Jimenez Person: Michael Hoey Person: Luke Donald Person: Diane Person: Donald Person: Tiger Woods Person: Phil Mickelson Person: Charl Schwartzel Person: Clarke Person: Keegan Bradley Person: nick Watney Person: Adam Scott Event: Orient THE European Tour Event: Andalucian Masters Event: Shanghai Masters Event: European Tour Race to Dubai Event: Ryder Cup Event: European Tour Event: Scottish Open Event: Open Championship Event: Irish Open Event: European Open Event: TPC of Europe Event: English Open Event: US Open Event: European Tour’s Event: Race to Dubai Event: WGC Organisation: Andalucian Tourist Board Organisation: Barclays Bank Organisation: AT&T Organisation: HSBC Organisation: Cadillac Organisation: Bridgestone

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