 |
 |   |
|
EVENTS Fantasy Central Inside Game Multimedia Central Statitudes Your Turn Message Boards Email Newsletters Golf Guide Cities Work in Sports
CNNSI.com GROUP
COMMERCE |  |
Unfair criticism Norman backs Australia's foreign-based pros
Posted: Wednesday December 15, 1999 04:04 PM
SYDNEY, Australia (AP) -- Greg Norman has defended Australia's contingent of foreign-based golfers against thinly-veiled accusations that they've turned their backs on Australian tour events. The former World No. 1 on Wednesday said the grueling demands of the U.S. tour meant top-flight golfers needed the Christmas and New Year period for rest. Craig Parry sparked a row last month by saying homegrown players should make more effort to compete in Australia to bolster the profile of local tournaments. Parry didn't name the compatriots he accused of abandoning the local tour, although speculation has centered on U.S.-based Stuart Appleby and Steve Elkington. But Norman said the criticism was unfair. "The Australian players do not abandon the Australian tour and I take exception to that," Norman told Australia's Channel Nine television. I totally disagree with that. "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."
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
