Capelle On Golf

After the Accenture Match Play last week, most players migrated to the Honda Classic 2,000 miles across the country in Palm Beach, Florida, or took the week off. And then there were those five hardy souls from the field of 64 who flew 7,000 miles across the world to tee it up at Europeans Tour’s Johnny Walker Classic in New Delhi, India (in Asia!).

Among them were Adam Scott (World Golf Ranking #5 - WGR) and Vijay Singh (WGR #11), who joined a field with less depth than a typical Nationwide Tour event. Nevertheless, when the smoke cleared on Sunday, the winner was unknown Mark Brown (WGR #181). Tied for second were Greg Chalmers (WGR #255) and Taichiro Kiyota (WGR #474).

The average WGR for the top 20 was a lofty 205.3. With a filed this thin you might assume that our two world beaters would have easy pickings. Such was not the case. Vijay finished 17t, and was not even the low Singh, that honor going to Jeev Milkha Singh who finished 11t. As for the much heralded Scott, he limped home with a 30t, 11 shots back of Brown.

While the competition may have been lacking, international representation wasn’t as players from 11 nations filled out the top 20. The prize money was decent, Brown taking home Euros worth $419,251 US, or more than this week’s third place finisher will earn in the Honda Classic. As a bonus, Brown might jet into the top 100 when the new WGR are announced tomorrow.

Perhaps Vijay received an appearance fee, maybe not. These matters are hush-hush. Regardless, he deserves to be excused from the PGA Tour because he’s already played in seven events in ‘08. On the Johnny Walker web site, Singh gave these reasons for traveling half way across the world.

“In the past I have played in the Johnnie Walker Super Tour, but I particularly enjoy playing in the Johnnie Walker Classic as it always boasts a top field of international players. I began my professional career in Asia so I am excited to be returning to my old stamping ground for the Johnnie Walker Classic next year (2008).”

I applaud his loyalty to the region where he got his start. But as for the “top field of international players” he’s got only part of that right.