Golf/World Matchplay Championship: Defending champion Ernie Els spoke up for the HSBC World Matchplay Championship on the eve of his attempt to equal a long-standing record at Wentworth today.
Els will join compatriot Gary Player and Spain's Seve Ballesteros as a five-time winner of the title if he triumphs again on Sunday.
Victory is worth a massive €1.4 million - the second biggest prize offered for a golf event - but even though Americans Tiger Woods, Jim Furyk, Kenny Perry, Phil Mickelson, David Toms and Davis Love all turned down the chance to play, Els believes the title at stake retains its glamour.
"Obviously if Tiger comes it makes it a different tournament and creates a buzz, but other than the money the prestige is still there," said Els. "It's got the history and this is the World Matchplay that you want to win."
The South African was referring there to the Accenture world matchplay won by Woods in California in February.
That is part of the World Golf Championships series and is open to the top 64 in the game, but, apart from the final, the contests are over 18 holes and Els considers this week's 36-hole format the true test.
For the first time since the championship began 40 years ago there was strict qualifying this season, with the holder and world number one being joined by the 10 best performers in the four majors.
It has meant that no British or Irish players are taking part - that has not happened since 1967 - but while Els appreciates that home fans might have liked to cheer on one of their own he hopes the atmosphere will still be there.
"I'm sure they would have really enjoyed Colin Montgomerie, Darren Clarke or Padraig Harrington being here, but the criteria is what it is. In the past the public have really supported the event and I think they will do the same.
"There are a couple of new faces, but everyone here has proved themselves, especially in the majors."
Like Els, Masters champion Mike Weir, shock British Open winner Ben Curtis and surprise US PGA champion Shaun Micheel have byes into tomorrow's quarter-finals.
The action starts with the nearly men - British Open runners-up Thomas Bjorn and Vijay Singh against Masters runner-up Len Mattiace and German Alex Cejka respectively, US PGA runner-up Chad Campbell against Swede Fredrik Jacobson and US Open runner-up Stephen Leaney against South African Tim Clark.
Originally there was not a single European involved, but because of the withdrawals Bjorn, Jacobson and Cejka fly the flag.
"I'd like to think that we'll get the home support," said Bjorn, who like Els lives close to the West Course.
However, Bjorn is prepared to argue with anyone who considers prize money has reached an obscene level this week.
The winner's cheque is four times that collected by Els when he won for the fourth time 12 months ago, but the Dane, who lost to Curtis at Sandwich after being three ahead with four to play, commented: "We believe as a tour that we are good value for money and our sponsors do as well, otherwise we wouldn't have as strong a tour as we do.
"We get paid a lot and some people think too much. Every person has the right to think what they want, but I've always said that prize money is where it is because the sponsors are willing to pay.
"Money has never been a motivation - winning trophies is the first thing on your mind."
Player's five victories between 1965 and 1973 earned him a total of £33,000 (approximately €48,000).
But even those who lose today will walk away with €107,500.
Not that Player minds. He, like Ballesteros, took part in the eve-of-tournament pro-am yesterday and afterwards said: "I would never change the time in which I played. Money was never the criteria.
"I don't think there's anything wrong with the money. As long as young players fulfil their obligations and don't snub sponsors I think it's fine. I eagerly awaited my invitation to this event and never failed to come, as far as I remember, unless I was ill. I would have got in a rowing boat to play."
Those missing this week might care to reflect on those words. Player has also been quoted as saying: "These guys disappoint the hell out of me because they just want to play in America. They've become spoilt rotten and they need to realise that they have to go around the world to play to give something back."
Woods is exempt from his criticism because he has done his fair share of globe-trotting, but Love said only two weeks ago: "I would much rather get in my truck and drive to Greensboro than fly overseas to play."
TODAY - First round: 8-45 and 1.10: (8) S Leaney (Aus) v (9) T Clark (Rsa). Winner to play (1) E Els (Rsa); 9.00 and 1.25: (5) V Singh (Fij) v (12) A Cejka (Ger). Winner to play (4) S Micheel (US); 9.15 and 1.40: (6) C Campbell (US) v (11) F Jacobson (Swe). Winner to play (3) B Curtis (US); 9.30 and 1.55: (7) L Mattiace (US) v (10) T Bjorn (Den). Winner to play (2) M Weir (Can).
