Woosnam joins exodus

Some warm-up. Indeed, the only place that was anywhere near hot as the BellSouth Classic finally got under way here yesterday was under the well-starched collars in the officials' hut as the number of big-name withdrawals became apparent.

Of these, Ian Woosnam had the highest profile as he joined Stuart Appleby, Chris DiMarco and Steve Flesch in the select procession of cars making its way east for this week's Masters. In truth, it was hard to blame them, as a late Monday finish became a certainty and the bitter 35mph winds started to pelt hail on the trusty souls who ventured out here yesterday.

But blame them, they did, with the fabulously named Slugger White taking a well-aimed swipe. "The players have an obligation to the BellSouth Classic," said the tournament director. "They have committed to play here and are expected to play here."

Unsurprisingly Woosnam's withdrawal was causing the most bitter taste at Sugarloaf. The mutterings in the Country Club suggested that pulling out after accepting a sponsor's invite was not befitting a Ryder Cup captain. If it does transpire that it was simply a desire to ensure another day's practice at Augusta then the faint rumbles could grow into something more foreboding.

At least Woosnam will not face the ignominy of a fine as he does not possess a PGA Tour card, but the other departees do and could be punished, as might Luke Donald, who scratched on Thursday. The 27-year-old from High Wycombe put it down to an aggravated shoulder, at best he will still have to send in a letter outlining his complaint and at worst be subjected to a medical. The PGA Tour might take the view, however, that fines could be contrary to this event's long-term future as even fewer "stars" may be tempted to turn up.

Jose Maria Olazabal certainly looked and sounded like he will not be rushing back next year. "It's hardly the ideal preparation for Augusta, but I'm playing on invitations this season, so it would not be the right thing for me to pull out because of next week," said the Spaniard with a responsibility that could make Woosnam blush.

But the Welshman will not be the first player to risk the wrath of the PGA Tour, or the last if this year's baffling run of bad weather continues. Eight out of 14 events here this season have now been disrupted, but Atlanta is the first since the 1998 Pebble Beach Pro-am to have two consecutive days without a ball being hit in anger.

They were hitting them in a rain-interrupted first-round yesterday, and with high winds making this hilly course more uninviting than ever, they were hitting them in anger.