ABU DHABI, France: In golf, as in other sports, money talks, but money cannot guarantee results.
Proof of that came in Abu Dhabi this week when the two biggest and best paid names in the game – Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods – travelled to the Gulf to kick-start their seasons and both fell at the first hurdle.
McIlroy was feted after arriving in Abu Dhabi to sign one of the biggest sponsorship deals in sport with Nike, reported to be in the region of US$250 million over 10 years, although there was no official confirmation of this figure.
Woods, the player who has defined the modern game and who is currently trying to climb past McIlroy to regain the world No.1 spot, was believed to have been paid US$3 million (in appearance money alone.
Having failed to make the cut on Friday, that works out at around US$80,000 a hole.
Their duel in the desert was top billing, the first round of a rivalry many believe could fire up golf for the next five years.
They drew big crowds to the splendid Abu Dhabi Golf club as they played together on Thursday and Friday and at times it was compelling viewing as both golfing giants struggled with their games.
But the net result is that neither man will be there for the weekend and the big-money tournament is shorn of its star turns. — AFP