Americans will have final say in holding of Ryder Cup

In golf, the Ryder Cup is about as important as it gets. In life, real life, it is inconsequential. After what happened in New York on Tuesday, it may seem inappropriate to mention the Ryder Cup. And, yet, with doubts being expressed about the event even taking place at The Belfry in two weeks' time, perhaps its staging - if the American players feel up to it - might be the best thing that could happen.

For all of us, and especially for Americans, our lives have changed.

We'll never look at things in the same way again. Where sport fits in is unclear, but it has a part to play. Sport reflects our passion for life and, in the weeks ahead, we will need sport. Just as we'll need music, and literature, and friends. We need the Ryder Cup to be held, without the jingoism of Brookline or Kiawah Island, but as a new beginning.

If the Americans decide not to travel, that the Ryder Cup should be wiped off the calendar for this year and not resurface until 2003, when it is scheduled to be held in the United States, then everyone will understand. It is America's call. Whatever choice they make will be the right choice.

Yet, as Padraig Harrington, in St Louis for the American Express world strokeplay championship which was cancelled by organisers last night as a result of Tuesday's catastrophe, said: "There's a very difficult line between saying, 'Yes, we're stopping to show respect to those who have been killed and what has happened' and saying, 'No!' It is a very difficult thing, but you are only giving in even more to these terrible acts by stopping.

"People might ask, 'Why should you be interested in sports at a time like this?' . . . it is not about sports, but it seems to me that you can't let these people who would do such a thing dictate your lives.

"But I would support any action they want taken. There is no doubt this has hit the American players hard."

It is difficult to gain a perspective on things, least of all sport, after what happened on Tuesday. It is right and proper to mourn and grieve.

Everyone's life has been touched by the barbaric happenings in Manhattan and, indeed, it would be astounding if at least one Ryder Cup player did not have some close affinity or relationship with one of its victims.

It could be that the Ryder Cup at The Belfry is simply too much, too soon for the Americans. Or it could be that it would give them a first opportunity to stand shoulder-to-shoulder in an international sporting context and help, in some small way, to restore some perspective to their fellow countrymen. To show that there is a new starting point.

Understandably, though, golf - even for the world's top players - is way down the list of priorities at this time.

"I think you can forget about the Ryder Cup for at least a few months," remarked Mark Calcavecchia, who had spent over a year of his golfing life in pursuit of a place on the US team.

Another American, Stewart Cink, talked of speaking with his fellow team-mates over the coming days to judge their feelings on the matter though his own immediate reaction was that, "I don't think the Ryder Cup should go ahead." And former European captain Mark James has suggested that the rescheduling of the event for some time later this year would be impractical.

The decision will be made by the US Tour and the PGA of America in consultation with the European Tour and the PGA, possibly within the next few days.

Basically, though, it will be America's shout. If they don't want to play, then it is unlikely to be rescheduled. There is no suitable place in the calendar this year, while the other option is attempting to fit it in somewhere on next year's schedule - which would be a possibility.

If it doesn't go ahead in two weeks' time, however, then the more likely scenario would be for a complete postponement until it is staged at Oakland Hills in Detroit in 2003.

preid@irish-times.ie