Australian Greg Norman says American golfers should get out more.
Norman bemoaned the lack of Americans prepared to travel the world, and said Tuesday that the majority of PGA Tour players are happy with mediocrity.
"I think there is an obligation on a golfer to travel because it is a global sport," said Norman, who will begin play Thursday in the Australian Open. "It's not a USA game."
He said Tiger Woods deserved praise for playing in Asia.
"I think it's great he goes to Asia and plays up there," Norman said. "You see the stimulus for the game in Asia now that we're all going to benefit from.
"I'd like to see more Americans travel a little more. But it's a pretty easy place to live, it's an easy place to get around, the lifestyle's easy, tax is pretty good. Their argument about traveling is, 'Why should I?' "
Norman said there was enough talent outside the United States to make up for the lack of American players venturing outside the country.
England's Nick Faldo and Scotland's Colin Montgomerie are the leading international players in this week's tournament.
"There's a lot of other good players out there who can put bums on seats at events without the USA behind their name," Norman said. "The game of golf has transcended the United States.
"They're always going to have a good breed of players coming out, but I honestly believe we have more better young players coming out of Australia than they do in the U.S."
Norman said many American player are prepared to float along without extending themselves on the PGA Tour.
"If you look at the money list this year, I think there were 35 guys made more than a million in prize money," Norman said. "That's a lot of money and a lot of those guys haven't won a tournament.
"A lot of guys are happy finishing in the top 15 where you don't have to do too much hard work, not a lot of responsibility goes with it and you don't have to carry the burden of golf on your shoulders.
"I'm sure they're trying to win, the top 20 or 30 players are very much that way, but there's also that group down there who seem very happy just making their million."
