Greg Norman bristles
with rage at suggestions Australia's leading golfers have abandoned the
local tour and he wishes the issue would "just drop dead and go away".
Craig Parry created
a mini-storm last month when he suggested world-class homegrown players
should boost the profile and profitability of Australian tournaments by
teeing up as often as possible.
Parry did not name
the offenders, saying "they know who they are", but his comments were no
doubt directed at US-based stars Stuart Appleby and Steve Elkington.
Appleby's appearance
at the recent Australian Open was his first and last this summer while
Elkington has played only a dozen or so Australasian tournaments since
he turned professional in 1985.
But Norman, who is
playing four events here this year - the Australian Open, Heineken Classic,
his signature Holden International and Ericsson Masters - today hit back
in defence of his absent friends.
He said a suffocating
US Tour schedule made the Christmas and New Year period the only chance
for rest and relaxation for most of the topline professionals.
"The Australian players
do not abandon the Australian tour and I take exception to that ... I totally
disagree with that," he told Channel Nine's "Today' program.
"I know there was
a bit of turmoil down there about four or five weeks ago and quite frankly
I think it's wrong.
"The players have
got themselves to think about, their families to think about, the game
of golf to think about and their country to think about and I just wish
people would take a look at the big picture.
"Every time a golfer
goes out there on the golf course anywhere in the world and he's Australian,
he's flying the Australian flag.
"For another player
to basically say "you should change your schedule and come over here' is
wrong because he doesn't know the whole picture.
"I wish the issue
would just drop dead and go away."
