Q. You will play if the Tour says it is okay rather than take government advice?
GREG OWEN: If they (the government) tell you not to go, why are we going? If the Tour has that responsibility, then I don't know what we can do. Obviously, if you want to play, you play. They are not going to say, you have to play. I played with a guy from the British Embassy yesterday and he said, you know, there's no chance of anything happening in the country as we go -- from what they say, we are -- and I said to him, oh, we'll probably just stay in the hotel and maybe the shopping centers but he said avoid the shopping centres. The country is safe. Today they are saying on TV that the Al Queda are saying rise up against western civilization. I mean, it seems crazy that we would take a risk for one tournament, but I don't know -- it felt really good this week. At the moment I'm thinking to play.
Q. Would you rather see the Tour make a decision?
GREG OWEN: I'd rather see the Tour cancel it personally, but, if they say it's fair enough to go and they accept that they can guarantee that we are going to get safely from the golf course to the hotel, then fair enough.
Q. Ken says there are too many complications to cancel it?
GREG OWEN: They aren't going to cancel it. They are still there, aren't they? What's the complications -- to say we are not going -- what's the complications? The Tour is in a difficult position. They want to keep the sponsor because it's an up-and-coming tournament and I agree with that. But it's -- I don't know, I think it's a very, very tricky subject, but it's one that we'll have to feel comfortable about they decide to go. Is Ken going out next week?
RODDY WILLIAMS: He's out there today and returning next week.
GREG OWEN: If they do, then it's safe. He builds confidence in the players. If he doesn't turn up -- you look at who is out there --
Q. You have heard about the Sky commentators not going?
GREG OWEN: The manufacturers are not going. They are not allowed to go.
I really don't know. It's obviously a very difficult situation and it's one that nobody wants to be put in to make a decision, but the way the Americans talk -- no matter what they say, they seem to be going in next week. That's the way it seems to me.
Q. You have to pull out by Saturday?
GREG OWEN: Probably will pull out Saturday morning, the players and the managers -- you can pull out after, but get fined £250 but it might be a well spent £250. Is it worth risking, a lot. I have a baby girl and I want to see her grow up. A golf tournament is not a be-all and end-all.
That's the other thing: You go out and something will happen; if you don't go out, nothing will happen.
Q. If you don't play next week when are you next out?
GREG OWEN: I was thinking about playing Madeira but I've never played well there. No point in slugging it out. Leave it the to the guys who are there at the moment and give them a bonus.
I don't know, I'd like to say that I'll play next week and it's safe, but I don't think anyone can tell me that.
Q. What's your world ranking?
GREG OWEN: 120. Dropped a lot from 81, had a baby and faded away.
RODDY WILLIAMS: Thanks, Greg. Thanks for your time.
End of FastScripts....
