Tiger Woods

Thursday, 10 January 2013 10:56 AM

Tiger Woods during the final round of Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship on Jan 30, 2012

Qatar has scrapped plans to bring former world number one golfer Tiger Woods to the Gulf state after it deemed his US$3m appearance fee too expensive, the president of the Qatar Golf Association told reporters on Wednesday.

US star Woods was invited to compete in the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters, which takes place at the Doha Golf Club from January 23 to 26, but organisers deemed his appearance fee to be too high.

“Tiger Woods demands US$3m just for an appearance, if he were to compete in the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters - which is not worth paying for a tournament of US$2.5m prize money,” Hassan Al Nuaimi, president of the Qatar Golf Association, said at a press conference, Doha News reported.

While Woods will miss the Qatar event, he has been confirmed to appear at the eighth annual Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, which takes place at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club from January 17 to 20 and has a prize purse of US$2.7m. Both events are part of the European PGA tour schedule.

Follow @ArabianBusiness

Join the Discussion

Disclaimer:The view expressed here by our readers are not necessarily shared by Arabian Business, its employees, sponsors or its advertisers.

Please post responsibly. Commenter Rules

Read All 8 Comments

Posted by: Tarek Sunday, 13 January 2013 11:01 AM[UAE] - Qatar

A very wise decision, better spend the money on raising sports awareness among the obese children in Qatar

Reply to this comment.

Posted by: Paul King Friday, 11 January 2013 8:46 PM[UAE] - UAE

They should appoint the president of the Qatar Golf Association to the World Cup 2022 organising body. Surely he would see what a ridiculous waste of funds this fantasy project is.

Reply to this comment.

Posted by: Kevin Thursday, 10 January 2013 10:34 PM[UAE] - USA

Tiger is not as good as the media tried to indicate last year, plus the number of fans buying tickets just to see him has dropped. The markets drive decisions. He will eventually drop his appearance fees or stop going.

Posted by: peter Saturday, 12 January 2013 10:34 AM[UAE] - dubai

I think you're right. He's not as good as the media tried to indicate last year. He's just world number 3!!! Think about it...

Reply to this comment.

Posted by: debbie Thursday, 10 January 2013 2:41 PM[UAE] - uae

just cuz he cant afford it doesnt mean he has to criticise it!

i doubt this guy even plays golf.

Posted by: nastyrunner Thursday, 10 January 2013 3:48 PM[UAE] - United Arab Emirates

Well, he never said Tiger Woods is not a good player. The $3 Million is just an appearance fee. Sports stars should compete and win the prize money if they are good.

Reply to this comment.

Posted by: nastyrunner Thursday, 10 January 2013 2:40 PM[UAE] - United Arab Emirates

Personally I would say Qatar Golf Association made the right decision. All these sports stars demand for large sums of money, which can actually help train other people to become even better than them. Also, if everyone follows the trend, these stars will learn not to demand, and be humble.

Reply to this comment.

Read All 8 Comments

Arabian Business Power 500 2013 - Top 5 from Egypt »


View complete list

Photo Galleries
Videos

31
Are there too many Brits in the UAE?

Could you imagine what would happen if a large proportion of the educated, professional worker population suddenly left (let alone the domestic workers... more
Friday, 24 May 2013 1:26 PM - Khalid
27
Bahrain MPs vote to ban pork in kingdom

@both, the world is not the same all over; thankfully, the citizens of one country view things differently than another. Europe allowing something does... more
Friday, 24 May 2013 1:25 PM - SAM
5
Turbulence drama injures 13 on Emirates flight

Emirates is the Best Airline in the World....Period! ......I've been flying with them since 1998 ,when I buy an Emirates airline ticket I buy comfort,... more
Friday, 24 May 2013 6:02 PM - Yunus

Read all user comments »

44
Dubai labourers stage rare strike for more pay

As much as I love the UAE, this will be a problem for them in the future. Lets look at this from any democratic Country on Earth. If I decided not to turn... more
Wednesday, 22 May 2013 11:56 AM - Ty Say
31
Are there too many Brits in the UAE?

Could you imagine what would happen if a large proportion of the educated, professional worker population suddenly left (let alone the domestic workers... more
Friday, 24 May 2013 1:26 PM - Khalid
27
Bahrain MPs vote to ban pork in kingdom

@both, the world is not the same all over; thankfully, the citizens of one country view things differently than another. Europe allowing something does... more
Friday, 24 May 2013 1:25 PM - SAM

Read all user comments »

55
Emirates defends no staff bonus, despite huge profit

Top managment greed is one of the main reasons that caused the 2008 crises. hope i delivered the message..
more
Friday, 24 May 2013 2:01 AM - MYT
44
Dubai labourers stage rare strike for more pay

As much as I love the UAE, this will be a problem for them in the future. Lets look at this from any democratic Country on Earth. If I decided not to turn... more
Wednesday, 22 May 2013 11:56 AM - Ty Say
31
Are there too many Brits in the UAE?

Could you imagine what would happen if a large proportion of the educated, professional worker population suddenly left (let alone the domestic workers... more
Friday, 24 May 2013 1:26 PM - Khalid

Read all user comments »

Log in Not registered? Register now!

Retrieve password form

Services:

Tiger Woods "not worth" $3m fee - Qatar golf boss

Related:

Stories

Also in Sport

Also in Qatar

Join the Discussion

Further reading

Features & Analysis

Most Popular

Most Discussed