Lee Westwood says TP-See you later to Players Championship

It has always been known as the fifth major in the United States, but don't expect Europeans to be claiming The Players Championship that important anytime soon. Lee Westwood, currently the No. 1-ranked player in the world, announced on Thursday that he won't be playing the event this year because it conflicts with his schedule, something no player would do if they deemed the TPC Sawgrass event important.

Westwood, who is one of many top European players that will focus more of their 2011 schedule across the pond instead of in the U.S., said that he has his schedule made up and it just won't include this event. Here is what Westwood told Paul Mahoney on Thursday at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship: 

"I'd play if I could, but my schedule is based around the majors. And it's set now," Westwood said Thursday. "I don't want to go into The Players not having played for four weeks after the Masters. And I don't want to stay in the States to practice for three weeks so I'll play a couple of tournaments on the European Tour instead."

A lot of Americans might be up in arms about this decision, but I agree with Westwood. Say what you want about the Players, but here are some of the winners the event has produced over the last 10 years: Craig Perks, Fred Funk and Stephen Ames. While a devil's advocate could toss Shaun Micheel and Ben Curtis right back at me, the point is, it is considered elite because we are made to believe it's elite. The money is incredible, the course is famous and the event normally has huge names. That said, is it really that great of a tournament, or is it an event that has become so tricked up that if you're on the wrong side of a weekday draw, you might not have a chance at all?

If I was Westwood, and the choice was between going home for three weeks or staying in the states for three weeks with no important events to occupy my time, I'd fly home and set up some stuff there. The PGA Tour isn't going to like it, but it is ultimately Westwood's decision, and I agree with him.

Just this week people were wondering why Phil Mickelson was playing a European Tour event instead of the Bob Hope. Couldn't the same be said about Westwood if he picked this event and it caused him to alter his schedule and miss out on certain big events around his homeland? Sure seems like it. 

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