Ewen Murray reflects on a number of high-profile absentees at the BMW PGA Championship and looks ahead to an action-packed summer of golf.With the first five months of the golfing season behind us, our sport gets ready for a frenetic period with three majors in seven weeks, followed by golfs return to the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.Englands Danny Willett has tucked away The Masters, Jason Day has The Players Championship and more recently, Chris Wood claimed the prestigious BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth. Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy have been grouped together for the first two rounds of the Memorial tournament in Ohio this week A strong talking point at the European Tour headquarters in Surrey was the absence of several of the Tours top players, and Im not alone in being disappointed there were so many absentees.The BMW PGA has a purse of five million euros, its played at one of our historic venues, its our base and the fans - well over 100,000 of them - poured through the gates to enjoy the spring sunshine and an event that always has drama from start to finish.This years edition was no different. Although injured, Justin Rose flew over to England to show his respect for his home Tour and was genuinely disappointed he was unable to play, but what about the no shows? Im aware the top players cannot play every week, but there are some events that should be sacrosanct and the BMW PGA is one of these. Ewen Murray on Wentworth These are members who cut their teeth in Europe and have banked millions of euros in the process. That of course is mainly down to their sterling play, but there is more to it than that.Its not that long ago less than a handful of our players would be exempt from playing in the three American majors. The Tour, then under the guidance of Ken Schofield and his successor George OGrady, moved mountains for that to change.Their perseverance was eventually rewarded, but only after much hard work and lengthy negotiations. The Tour would not be what it is today without their diligence and work ethic. Their relationship with the sponsors and their involvement in improving courses has grown the affiliation Europe has with the other world tours, which could well fashion the future. European Tour chief executive Keith Pelley announced there are changes planned for Wentworth Then there is a gilt-edged sponsor in the shape of BMW. The Bavarian Motor Works hosts Tour events in its homeland, England, Italy, South Africa and China. They form a large part of the nucleus that is at the centre of our tournament calendar.The missing players at Wentworth are handsomely paid by various manufacturers to promote clubs, clothing, golf balls and other equipment. This can be done because the fans like to use what their favourite players use.Im aware the top players cannot play every week, but there are some events that should be sacrosanct and the BMW PGA is one of these. I, and many others, see it on a similar level to the Players at Sawgrass. Jason Day eased to a wire-to-wire victory at TPC Sawgrass last month I wonder what the PGA Tour commissioner, Tim Finchem, would have said had Jason Day, Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth, Bubba Watson, Rickie Fowler and Phil Mickelson decided to bypass Ponte Vedra?The worry for the future is that the fans might chose to bypass Wentworth. From next year, to be a member of the European Tour, it should be mandatory in my opinion to play in the spring showcase event.In getting that off my chest, take nothing away from this years champion, Chris Wood. 29 shots for the front nine on Sunday was a Herculean effort. Yes, there were some moments of uncertainty on the back nine, but Wentworth is a total examination of a players skill, make-up and nerve. Down the decades, even the golfing greats have come undone over that notorious stretch for home. Chris Wood claimed a narrow one-shot win at the BMW PGA Championship Chris is a popular winner. He has had several annoying injuries in past years and with that behind him, he has a good future to look forward to - and perhaps a Ryder Cup berth in Darren Clarkes side for September.As we head into this hectic major spell, the worlds top three players are in blistering form. Rory McIlroy, Jason Day and Jordan Spieth have all won their last events. Day was top at Sawgrass, McIlroy in Ireland and Spieth, with six birdies on the final nine holes, enjoyed a hometown win at the Colonial in Fort Worth.All of this adds to the anticipation and excitement of the US Open at Oakmont in Pennsylvania. This is a fearsome course where only the very best will do. Add to that the probability of searing heat and greens that run at 13+ on the stimpmeter, and this will be the ultimate test. The US Open returns to the historic Oakmont Country Club Thirteen European members made it through to the US Open last Monday at Walton Heath. Each and every one of them will hope they can emulate New Zealander Michael Campbell, who qualified there 11 years ago in last place. Days later, he held the trophy aloft at Pinehurst in North Carolina - the stuff of dreams!Royal Troon in Ayrshire hosts this years Open - a month after the years second major - and Sky Sports viewers will be treated to coverage never seen before. Sky Sports 1 HD will be dedicated entirely to The Open for 10 days.For the first time, the opening tee shots of this years Championship will be shown live in the UK and Ireland. In the run-up to the start of the 145th edition of this championship that began in 1860, practise rounds will be aired and in the evening from Thursday through to Sunday, Sky will show comprehensive highlights of the days play. Add to that, history sections and documentaries along with innovative shows will offer The Open the coverage it deserves. The Channel launches on July 11.Because of this years Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, the seasons last major, the PGA Championship at Baltusrol in New Jersey, begins just 10 days after The Open is concluded.The last time we were there for this event, Phil Mickelson won on a Monday morning after storms interrupted play over the four days. Baltusrol is long and demanding and like the US Open, it will produce a fine champion. There are some significant events in between the next two majors. France celebrates the 100th playing of their Open at the magnificent Le Golf National by Guyancourt, near Versailles. This Robert Von Hagge and Hubert Chesneau masterpiece will also host the Ryder Cup in 2018.The week after, the Capital of the Highlands will take centre stage for the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open. The splendid Castle Stuart is the venue again after a couple of years at Royal Aberdeen and the hugely impressive Gullane, where Rickie Fowler won in dramatic fashion last year.So get ready for a fabulous summer of golf. Im sure there will be some amazing storylines in the weeks ahead.Also See:Day ready for Memorial testThe Open channel on Sky SportsGolf live on Sky SportsMemorial ways to watchRandy White Jersey . A lawyer for MLB, Matthew Menchel, confirmed Wednesday the league dropped its case against Biogenesis of America, its owner Anthony Bosch and several other individuals. The lawsuit had accused Biogenesis and Bosch of conspiring with players to violate their contracts by providing them with banned performance-enhancing substances. Daryl Johnston Womens Jersey . Halladay signed a one-day contract with the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday that allowed the veteran right-hander to retire as a member of team with which he broke into the majors and spent the bulk of his distinguished 16-year career. http://www.cowboysrookieproshop.com/Cowboys-Jay-Novacek-Jersey/ . Capitals head coach Adam Oates said Ovechkin was injured in the first period against the Vancouver Canucks on Monday and clarified it was not a head injury. Troy Aikman Womens Jersey . The 43-year-old closer, in his 19th and final big league season, has said hed like to play the outfield. Yankees manager Joe Girardi says hes thinking about allowing Rivera to do it this weekend, when the Yankees finish their season with a three-game series at the Houston Astros. DeMarcus Ware Jersey . -- Bobby Ryan helped the U.CINCINNATI It is a brief three-game homestand for the Cincinnati Reds, but already the absence of Jay Bruce is being felt in the home clubhouse, although a dramatic walk-off win on Tuesday night helped temper emotions.Shortstop Zack Cozart who managed to survive Mondays non-waiver trade deadline, took over Bruces locker space, albeit with mixed emotions.Hes one of my best friends, if not my best friend, Cozart said of Bruce. Im going to miss him for sure. Im happy to be here. I want to be with Reds. We both wanted to be here.As it turned out, Cozart too was absent from the Reds lineup on Tuesday with a bruised right ring finger. His status is day-to-day heading into the second game of a three-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday night.The Cardinals will try to rebound from a tough 7-5 loss in which Scott Schebler, who was recalled from Triple-A Louisville in the wake of the Bruce deal belted a three-run home run in the bottom of the ninth to win it.St. Louis has dropped three straight and now trails the first-place Chicago Cubs by nine games in the National League Central. The Cardinals also trail Miami by a half game for the second wild card spot.Cardinals right-hander Michael Wacha (6-7, 4.38 ERA) will oppose Reds left-hander Cody Reed (0-5, 7.07 ERA) Wednesday.Reed, one of three left-handers acquired from the Kansas City Royals last season in exchange for Johnny Cueto, is still looking for his first career victory in his eighth start.There have been flashes of brilliance for Reed who is considered among the best of several promising young arms in the Reds organization. He is the first Reds pitcher since Cueto to have at least nine strikeouts in his major league debut.Reed will be facing St. Louis for the first time.Wacha is 44-1 with a 3.dddddddddddd.75 ERA in his last 10 starts. He allowed three runs and four hits in six innings while getting a win Thursday in Miami.The Cardinals have dominated the Reds in recent years, winning 18 of the past 22 series and Wacha is 5-1 with a 1.84 ERA in 11 appearances vs. Cincinnati. In the last 11 series at Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati has won just three.Dating to the 2003 season, St. Louis has gone 31-4-2 in 37 series between them. But, the Reds have the upper hand after winning the opener.The Cardinals made a flurry of player moves on Tuesday and more activity is expected later this week.Shortstop Aledmys Diaz was placed on the disabled list with a fractured thumb after being hit by a pitch, but St. Louis also welcomed back shortstop Jhonny Peralta and right field Brandon Moss from the DL.While hes not expected to be back for the Cincinnati series, St. Louis is hoping to have Matt Carpenter back in the fold by the end of the week Stephen Piscotty batted leadoff for the first time in his career on Tuesday.Were not that many days away from having another leadoff guy as an option, manager Mike Matheny said of Carpenter.For Cincinnati, Adam Duvall moved from left field to right field replacing Bruce. Schebler was recalled from Triple-A Louisville where he was batting .311 to take over Duvalls spot in left.With the trade deadline passed, players from both clubs can focus on playing baseball.We knew something was going to happen, Reds catcher Tucker Barnhart said of the Bruce trade. But it still stinks to see it happen. Im very happy to see him move on to a situation where he has a chance of winning. ' ' '