Donald: Tax plays part in absences

Luke Donald has warned British golf fans not to expect to see much of his Ryder Cup partner Sergio Garcia while the tax situation is what it is.

Donald makes his first appearance of the year in Europe at the BMW Championship at Wentworth, but Garcia is missing from the European Tour’s flagship event for the sixth year running.

A scheduling problem is the official reason given for Garcia’s no-show, but Donald said: “I believe the main reason why he doesn’t play much at this tournament or England in general is the tax rule.

“I believe that if he plays a certain number of days or weeks, the whole Andre Agassi scandal thing that’s been going on affects him.

“That’s the main reason, but I’m not really totally sure. I mentioned to him ’are you going to come over and play this and play the Match Play (also at Wentworth)’ and he said he would like to, but he feels like he’s going to get hit hard with the tax, so financially it’s not worth it.”

Tennis star Agassi last week lost his legal battle to avoid paying UK income tax on endorsement deals.

It was ruled he must pay tax on a portion of cash paid to him by Nike and Head because he endorsed their products at Wimbledon and other tournaments here.

The Court of Appeal had earlier ruled Agassi was exempt because neither he nor the sports companies were UK-based, but by a four-to-one majority the Law Lords ruled foreign entertainers touring Britain must pay tax on money earned from such deals.

It was reported that as a result of the verdict foreign celebrities could be forced to pay unpaid bills amounting to between £50m (€73m) and £100m (€146m).

Agassi had paid some tax bills, but challenged a decision that he must pay a further £27,520 (€40,295).

In the last few years Garcia, Europe’s leading player in the world rankings, has played in Britain only at the Open championship each year.

Last year Danish golfer Thomas Bjorn hit out strongly at the absence of some big names from Wentworth, and said: “The tour can’t start pressurising them to play, but we stick together as a tour and you are either part of it, or you’re not.

“If you’re part of it, you come here and play. If you don’t show any interest, well don’t expect the tour and the rest of the players that do play to show any interest in them.

“I don’t want sanctions against them, but don’t expect favours when it comes to the Ryder Cup if you can’t come back once every year and play in our biggest tournament.”