Golf: Players back cancellation of World Golf Championships

Golf’s top players have backed the decision to cancel the World Golf Championships in St Louis following the terrorist attacks on America.

Tournament officials acted by cancelling the event - and announcing that the 5million US dollars prize money (£3,400,000) would be donated to a relief fund set up as a result of Tuesday’s atrocities.

World number two Phil Mickelson had already withdrawn from the tournament at Bellerive Country Club while 21 players had yet to arrive after being caught up in the travel chaos in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks.

Colin Montgomerie felt that the right decision had been made to cancel the event after plans were announced for a national day of mourning across the United States.

Montgomerie said: ‘‘We were starting on Friday which was only right but you can’t play golf on a day of mourning.

‘‘That was that. That changed the whole thing. It’s just too early unfortunately.’’

Montgomerie also agreed with the decision to donate the prize fund to the relief effort, adding: ‘‘That is all we can do right now.’’

US Open champion Retief Goosen added: ‘‘It was a joint decision between the players, the sponsors and PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem and it was the right decision.’’