Woods not welcome at Aussie resort

Last updated: 18th December 2012

The owner of the Palmer Coolum Resort, venue for the Australian PGA Championship since 2002, has fired a broadside at Tiger Woods, saying he would prefer to have Peter Senior playing at his course than the former world number one.

Woods as well as a number of international stars were absent from this year's event with Ryder Cup star Darren Clarke the biggest draw card.

However, despite the lack of high-profile players, Palmer Coolum Resort owner Clive Palmer is happy that American Woods wasn't in the field.

"Tiger Woods isn't the No 1 golfer in the world any more," Palmer told The Australian in an interview.

"We don't want to look backwards, we want to look forwards. So why would you get Tiger Woods here? I would prefer to have Peter Senior than Tiger Woods.

"I am sure Peter Senior could beat Tiger Woods on a good day. I am sure he could.

"Tiger Woods has improved a lot but he's an emotional wreck and he's not a good example for kids, anyway."

As for current world number one Rory McIlroy not taking part this year, Palmer said: "If you rang him now he would probably tell you unless it's at Palmer Coolum Resort, I won't come.

"We can be sure he won't come if it goes somewhere else.

"If it stays here there is a chance he might come here."