Norman urges stars to hit the road

Greg Norman has urged the world's leading players to promote the game better world wide.

A host of top stars, including Tiger Woods, David Duval and Phil Mickelson, turned their back on the recent world Match Play Championship in Melbourne.

But the Australian believes they have a responsibility to play around the globe and not just on their own Tour in America.

"Their responsibility is huge," said Norman.

"And you've got to do things that you don't necessarily want to do. But at the end of the day that is the responsibility of being successful."

And the former world number one believes golf is all the poorer for their reluctance to show off their talents more in Europe and Australasia.

"What's happening is the rest of the world are suffering dramatically," added Norman.

"They don't get to see Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson or Davis Love.

"Back in the 1980s we travelled the world, now they don't want to do that."

The former Open winner reckons the huge prize money on offer on the US Tour is a major problem.

"The rest of world's golf is in a bit of a tough position because the prize money is so large in America right now the guys are thinking 'why do I need to jump in an airplane and go'?"

The Great White Shark is set to play in this week's Heineken Classic in Perth, a joint Australasian-European PGA Tour event, as he tries to recapture former glories.