Some golfers are content to stay on familiar turf and play the USPGA or European Tours, but not Ernie Els and Michael Campbell.
They are among a breed of golfer, that also includes people like Tiger Woods and Colin Montgomerie, who travel the world, showcasing their skills not just in the United States and Europe but in Asia and elsewhere.
Campbell, a New Zealander, said he is ”a global golfer” because he feels a responsibility as one of the game’s stars to promote the sport that has made him rich and famous.
”I am a global player and enjoy playing around the world,” he said here, where he will play the Singapore Open a week after finishing second at a tournament in Korea.
”One thing we need to do as players is to expose this game to the rest of the world. It is important that fans get to see us in the flesh and blood.
”Tiger travels a lot, so does Ernie and Retief [Goosen]. It is very important for us to get out there and maintain the profile of golf.”
Woods will be in Asia later this year at the HSBC Champions Trophy in Shanghai followed by the Dunlop Phoenix Masters in Japan, while Montgomerie and Goosen were also expected to visit.
Els is one of the sport’s most prolific travellers, coming to the Asia-Pacific regularly and winning a handful of tournaments here, including the BMW Asian Open last year.
”Coming from South Africa I have always travelled a lot. I’ve been travelling since I was 13 or 14,” said the world number seven.
”Being the player that I am, and in the top 10, the media and tournament organisers have caught onto that. They know I travel so I get invitations.
”I’m now based in England so I can get to anywhere in one-stop. I’ve always done it and I believe there should be players like that, playing around the world and promoting the game.” – Sapa-AFP