IMG man Padraig Harrington won this IMG event in 2002, and he is one of the most vocal supporters of the 2003 event.

Harrington has been criticised, in golfing circles, for his favourable support of lucrative IMG/European Tour Productions/Trans World International events.

Harrington riles Aussies

BBC Sport, 15 November 2000

Australian Open organisers have criticised Padraig Harrington for playing in the Amex World Championship after pulling out of their event.

Harrington withdrew from the tournament at Melbourne's Kingston Heath Golf Club, taking place from 23-26 November, early last week citing "family reasons".

The Australian Golf Union issued a statement saying the Irishman would not be playing in Melbourne or "in anything else this year".

But Harrington then stunned Open chiefs by teeing up in the European $3.5m season-ending competition in Valderrama, Spain.

He finished in a tie for fifth with Tiger Woods, Sergio Garcia and Nick Price behind winner Mike Weir of Canada.

AGU executive director Colin Phillips said he was surprised and disappointed at Harrington's decision.

Explanation

"I asked for an explanation from his managers, IMG, as soon as I saw he was playing in Spain last week," he said.

"We were prepared to pay a fair amount for him to play in the Open and it's obviously very disappointing."