Palmer 'disappointed' in Donald, McIlroy absences

• By Randall Mell
• Mar 21, 2012 11:35 AM ET

ORLANDO, Fla. – PGA Tour pros who skip playing the Arnold Palmer Invitational face a certain consequence.

The King is paying attention.

Palmer hasn't missed the fact that world No. 1 Luke Donald and No. 2 Rory McIlroy aren’t playing his event at Bay Hill this week.

“I’m disappointed that they are not here, no question about it,” Palmer said. “They are the top players on the Tour right now in the positions that they are in, and I am disappointed. I had a letter from Rory seeking my consultation, and he told me he wasn't coming.  Of course, that made me feel great. And if you believe that, I'll talk to you outside afterwards.”

Palmer pointed out that his trip over to the British Open in his prime helped accelerate interest in international golf.

“To think that those people are now the top international players in the world, we like to have them here,” Palmer said.

Palmer said he would be pleased to grant McIlroy’s request to meet and talk.

“I think he has handled himself very well,” Palmer said. “I don't know him really well. I have talked to him a little bit.  But I think he has done a wonderful job, 22 years old and starting a career like he has just gotten launched onto . . . I look forward to seeing him and talking to him.”

Watch highlights and behind-the-scene action from the Arnold Palmer Invitational pro-am Wednesday at 5 and 9PM ET.