One can only imagine the gloomy mood that must have collectively descended on the European Tour's headquarters at Wentworth last week when reading about the acts of selflessness of the new Masters champion, Jordan Spieth. Shortly after being presented with the green jacket, the man who has rapidly become everyone's favourite Texan flew to New York and gave 25 interviews over the course of 24 hours. Then, despite the obvious fatigue, he flew to South Carolina to keep his promise to play the Heritage tournament — his fourth event in a row — because, well, they were good to him on the way up and he wanted to pay them back. Jordan Spieth hits a tee shot on the eighth hole during the final round of the RBC Heritage Tournament . Spieth has competed in four events in a row as the new Masters champion shows his commitment to the sport . There was more. What about two tournaments coming up next month in his home state? Yes, I'll be playing because they're 'hometown events', he said. He also committed to the Cadillac Match Play Championship in San Francisco next week because it is a WGC event, and the Players Championship in Florida the following week because it is the tour's flagship competition. Now, by way of stark contrast, let's return to the European Tour and their flagship event, also being played next month when the BMW PGA Championship is staged at Wentworth. Given that Europeans won an unprecedented three majors last year plus the Ryder Cup, not surprisingly they wanted to put on quite a celebration. Spieth attends the 50th Academy Of Country Music Awards at the AT&T Stadium on Sunday night . The new Masters champion poses with singers Charles Kelley (centre) and Jake Owen (left) on Sunday night . Only trouble is, three of the high-profile members of that winning team at Gleneagles will not be present. Local favourite Ian Poulter, world No 3 Henrik Stenson and world No 10 Sergio Garcia have decided not to play. In the past all three have made no secret of the fact they don't care for Wentworth and all three have poor records in the event. Doesn't that make it an obvious event to cut from a busy schedule? You can see the argument. But, equally, as Spieth at the age of just 21 is effortlessly showing, sometimes it's simply about doing the right thing. Yes, Poulter and Stenson, in particular, can put forward persuasive cases as to how they do their bit for European golf. Poulter is doing plenty behind the scenes to ensure the relaunched British Masters at Woburn in October will be a great success; Stenson plays more tournaments round the world than any other top player and the nasty bout of flu that ruined his chance at the Masters was a sure sign he needs to cut back. All the same, the feeling lingers this admirable pair have got this one wrong. BMW have done a fabulous job with this tournament. It has grown to become an integral part of London's sporting summer. Ian Poulter watches his second shot on the first hole during the final round of the RBC Heritage Tournament . 'It may be my last Masters next year. The distance is ebbing away from this old body and the handwriting is on the wall.’ Not just his final Open this summer, but it looks as if 65-year-old Tom Watson is ready to call it a day at Augusta as well. This year he shot 71 in the first round to become the oldest player to break par in Masters history. He followed it by making the halfway cut in the Heritage tournament in South Carolina last week, and shooting 69 in the third round. Clearly, he’s determined to go out with head unbowed. The prize fund at €5million is handsome and the players are treated regally, with a top-class players' lounge and free accommodation thrown in at the five-star Coworth Park hotel in Ascot. Equally, they don't do this as an act of benevolence. They do this on the presumption that everyone will turn up. So imagine how they must be feeling. Yes, it will still be a great event with world No 1 Rory McIlroy and Masters runner-up Justin Rose competing, while American Patrick Reed is making his debut. But they could be forgiven for looking at the revived Irish Open the following week featuring just as many star names for less than half of their investment and taking place on one of the world's great golf courses in Royal County Down to boot, and questioning their largesse. Pleasing all tournament sponsors is, of course, an impossible task, even if Spieth appears determined to try. But there are some events where players ought to feel an obligation to play. Their own flagship event is surely one. Sweden's Henrik Stenson watches his tee shot on the fourth hole during the RBC Heritage Tournament . St Andrews will be Nick Faldo's last Open . Twenty-five years after his runaway victory at St Andrews, Sir Nick Faldo will play in his last Open at the Home of Golf this July. Thus, the greatest British player of the modern era will bow out over the Swilcan Bridge like so many of the American legends, such as Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer. With innovative new grandstands dramatically increasing the capacity around the fabled 17th and 18th holes, it will be a fitting place to say goodbye in every sense. ‘I look forward to celebrating all that golf has given me as I cross that storied bridge,’ said Sir Nick, whose 58th birthday falls on the Saturday of the event. Legendary golfer Nick Faldo is set to make his final Open appearance at St Andrews in July when he turns 58 .
Shortly after being presented with his green jacket, new Masters champion Jordan Spieth gave 25 interviews over the course of 24 hours in New York.
Then, despite his fatigue, the 21-year-old flew to South Carolina to keep a promise and play in the Heritage tournament - his fourth event in a row.
By contrast, players on the European Tour have not shown the same sort of unwavering commitment to the sport.
Ian Poulter, Henrik Stenson and Sergio Garcia have decided not to play at the BMW PGA Championship being staged at Wentworth next month.