Rafferty points to European dominance

Four players in the world’s top ten – Dustin Johnson, Steve Stricker, Webb Simpson and Matt Kuchar – have all decided to skip the $7 million tournament in China.

Phil Mickelson is missing, too, along with Bubba Watson, Gary Woodland and Sean O’Hair, while Tiger Woods failed to qualify for the last WGC event of the season.

World No 1 Luke Donald pulled out due to the fact his wife is due to give birth soon, but second-ranked Lee Westwood and No 3 Rory McIlroy head a strong European contingent at Sheshan International.

Rafferty, who topped the European Order of Merit in 1989, is disappointed but not surprised that the American challenge is vastly under-strength. “They are never going to travel, it’s as simple as that,” said the Northern Irishman. “They will hardly jump on a plane to come over this side of the Atlantic other than to play in the Open.

“I hear that Dustin Johnson is contemplating joining the European Tour as he wants to play in four to six events next season, but is that going to acclimatise someone to play around the world? I’ve done a lot of TV work over the years and have always said that the Americans look better players and score better, but their courses are always in prime condition and they normally play in good weather.

“Our players are more worldy-wise and streetwise. They are better ball-strikers and shot-makers because we have to play in far more difficult conditions. We are playing in a different country almost every week and have to get used to travelling. The Americans, on the other hand, don’t like to travel.

“The less they are competing around the world and not winning and the opposite is happening [with Europeans] the more confidence our players are getting, especially in the majors.”

Europe holds both the Ryder Cup and Solheim Cup at the moment following two dramatic wins over the Americans in the past 13 months.

The Walker Cup is also in the hands of Great Britain & Ireland after Nigel Edwards led his amateur side to victory at Royal Aberdeen in September.

“European golf is on a huge high at the moment,” added Rafferty, who now lives in Crieff and was speaking in his role as an ambassador for the Nespresso Trophy UK Challenge. “It was probably sparked by Padraig Harrington winning the first of his majors four years ago.

The event in China, which carries a first prize of £720,000, is the only event on the WGC schedule to be held outside America. Rafferty, who is starting to gear up for the Seniors Tour, said: “There should be more, especially when three out of the four majors are also in the States.”