Some of the heroes of Medinah have turned into a bunch of fair weather golfers it seems.
Given the controversy that's surrounded the BMW PGA Championship off the course this week, the flustered sponsors could've done with their star attractions illuminating proceedings on it.
The big names have better things to do, though. "I'm going to Tweet what a wonderful weekend in store I've got, the Champions League final and Monaco [Grand Prix]," said Ian Poulter after missing the cut on a 152.
"Not really sure where I'm going to spend the weekend," added Rory McIlroy after joining the casualty list with a 149. "Paris could be an option [French Open tennis] and Monaco is on too." It's not a bad life eh? Perhaps McIlroy would be better served heading to the range and sorting out his game.
With Graeme McDowell and defending champion Luke Donald also departing early, the triumphant homecoming to the European Tour's HQ of the Ryder Cup winners has been a sodden anti-climax.
It was cold, damp and miserable on day two and these American-based stars looked like they were all missing the sunshine. Bless them. "I'm looking forward to getting back into some golf where I'm not playing in four layers," added McIlroy, the world No.2, whose fate was sealed when he racked up a double-bogey seven on the 17th on his way to a 75 and an early exit.
McDowell, who won the World Matchplay crown in the pleasant climes of Bulgaria last weekend, joined his compatriot on a 149 tally but the expected change in weather in this part of the world will come too late for him. "With sunshine forecast this weekend, I was desperate to play here," he said.
Unfortunately, McDowell couldn't hack the cold and the wet beforehand. Donald, too, suffered in the general gloom and, despite posting a level-par 72, his damaging opening card of 78 left the title holder with too much to do. "It's disappointing to miss a cut, especially here at Wentworth," lamented Donald, who was aiming for a third successive BMW PGA Championship victory. "But I'll be back. I think failure is a much bigger motivator for me than success."
At least the old guard showed their mettle. With a combined age of 142, Paul McGinley, the current European Ryder Cup captain, along with Jose Maria Olazabal and Colin Montgomerie, the last two skippers, all progressed to the weekend.
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