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It is shocking that so many players failed to show after filing an entry to play in the qualifier. I was not aware of this unfortunate behavior, leaguegolf. Perhaps something should be done to those players who simply failed to show up and offered no legitimate reason for their absence.

Maybe Dan will be even more worried about his money after he gets fined for his comments on the Euro Tour. The guys that signed up at Congressional had an obligation to either withdrawl prior to the event or play and shut up.

Couldn't find the phone number? Come on Dan, you're in your 30's. You're way too old to use 'the 'dog ate my homework' excuse.

If the R&A went out of their way to provide qualifying over here, and these losers committed and didn't show, that is a travisty and very unproffessional. Let me offer a thought as to why these also rans did this.

I use also rans for this reason, I am guessing that most of these guys, if they make the cut, usually finish close to the bottom week in and week out. Okay, they are strugling to make it on tour. I think teir line of thinking, and this appears to be collective, is that as long as all the big boys are in Scotland their chances of a bigger payday at the BC is a real and viable choice. Now if this is the real truth behind the ones that commited and did not show then that is dispicable and I agree with league, they should be punished severly. However, I am sure quit a few figured this out and did not enter the qualifying for the Open. To them I would say this was a sound business decission.

I guess that's the part I don't think of, when watching the pros. You forget they're not all oozing wealth, as it can look like when all you do is play golf for a living... Hensby was the guy who slept in his car and all that, so, I guess he's just being pragmatic and weighing the pros and cons.

Guess that's why I'm not a businessman.

Leaguegolf - thanks for the postings.

I absolutely agree if a golfer commits to appear at a qualifying event and doesn't show, there should be some consequence.

I can see how a struggling to keep his card PGA Tour player would probably use the opportunity to play in the event opposite the British Open. The money issue is probably first on their minds and that's where the "business decision" aspect comes in. Just don't accept an invitation to a qualifier and then back out without a legitimate reason. I'll bet that behind closed doors Tim Finchem will have something to say about what occurred.

Along that same line.....I don't look for any more quotes from Dan Olsen in the near future. Last year's big British Open story would have been completely different had Ben Curtis felt the same as the No-shows.

You are probably 100% right there. It will be interesting to see if the PGA reprimands the individuals that did the dishonorable deed.

I understand the concern for money and time to prepare. If someone came to me this week and said "you are playing Augusta National this Friday", I probably would not have time to get ready with family and $$$. Although it would be great, it would be tough. So I can see the conflict.

drstroud,

I guess two weeks just isn't enough time for a professional golfer to arrange to play in one of his profession's four premier events. A couple of pros having problems is no big deal, but the way this went down really gives American golfers a black eye.

Hey "old buddy, best pal of mine"....I'll be glad to help with the arrangements if you get the call to play Augusta National this Friday. As long as I get get play too!!!

This is a ridiculous analogy. You're comparing a pleasure trip to an occupation. If your boss told you that you had to be at Augusta National on Friday to play golf with some important clients, I bet you would make it. I know I wouldn't have a choice in the matter in my line of work (not that I would consider it a hardship).

This is Hensby's job. The only way he can do his job is by traveling. His wife, if he's even married, will understand. As for the money, the $680,000 he just earned will certainly help defray the expenses.

When you think about the sacrifices guys like Ben Hogan and Arnold Palmer made to win the British Open in the days before there were any exemptions (which meant you could travel all the way to Britain and fail to even qualify for the tournament), the actions of Hensby and his fellow tour pros are pretty pathetic.

Let's not be too hard on drstroud. ;) After all, playing in the Open is a personal choice. Whether they play or not doesn't bother me and I doubt it bothers the other competitors. It's accepting a qualifying invitation and then backing out at the last minute, or just not showing up at all, that was really pathetic. :(

I'm not being too hard on drstroud. I disagreed with his analogy and explained why. I didn't use profanity and I didn't call him any names. Let's not be overly sensitive.

And, yes, it's Hensby's personal choice to not play the British Open. But it's my personal choice to criticize him for not doing so. For a professional golfer to turn down an invitation to a major championship is pathetic. Maybe not as pathetic as failing to show up for a pre-existing commitment, but pathetic nonetheless.

Hrm, OK, I'm gonna be wishy-washy, and say, yes, you have a good point. Even after taxes, $680K is a nice chunk of change that could cover even a last-minute plane flight and pricey lodgings... Heck, even if you dropped $10K on the trip, I would think it would be worth it. But, as I say, that's why I'm not a businessman - I'd let my heart take over too often where the head should rule....

Hey guys,

I'll even carry the clubs, wipe your shoes and pay for my own airfare from Sydney cattle class if I have to!!!!

Just a thought on Hensby from one of his countrymen.
Before the last months results we had never heard of him. Obviously this guy has a lot of guts. Sleeping out of a car with his wifew duroing some of the Nike tournaments.

The points about locals not even turning up to US qualifiying says something about the all exempt tour benefits doesn't it?

Bye the way The Open is not an invitational. You do not receive an invitation to play you either have an expemption or not....... and that allows you to make a choice.

personally if I being form Aust. had one a US tour event only days before The Open and found out that I had qualified automatically....... I would swim the Atlantic naked to get there!!!!!

Apart from that what a win and I still have not seen it. What happened?
Interesting point Aussies have won three events this year.


Brett

Hensby's win was fun to watch. Morgan - a Brit ranked 300th or so - was pumped up and played incredibly well on the back 9 to tie Hensby, forcing a playoff. Hensby had some golf god looking over his shoulder or something - he hit two trees, but landed in the 17 fairway on the first, and stayed in the fairway on the second, hitting par on the hole. On the second playoff hole, Morgan put it off the green, into the rough on the left, down a slope, where he couldn't get his footing. Skidded it over the green into the bunker on the other side, and Hensby parred it for the win.

Edit: Hensby made par on the last hole.