Ryder Cup decision met with sadness and understanding

In a world gone mad, a sane decision to postpone the Ryder Cup for a year - rather than cancel it entirely or, indeed, go ahead with it at The Belfry next week - was taken last night. Although the move to defer the event to September 2002 was initiated by the PGA of America, the decision was fully endorsed by the European Ryder Cup board and Europe's team captain, Sam Torrance, who remarked that last week's terrorist atrocities had "put everything else into perspective."

With a number of American players expressing concern about their safety should the Ryder Cup, golf's showcase international team event, go ahead in the English midlands, the decision, when it came, was an inevitable one.

The PGA of America claimed that "the scope of last Tuesday's tragedy is so overwhelming that it would be impossible" for their team or officials to attend the match.

It is the first time since the second World War, when six matches between 1939 and 1945 were not held, that the Ryder Cup won't be staged. However, it has been agreed that the same 10 qualified players and two captain's picks from each side who were due to play in next week's match will comprise the teams for the rescheduled encounter.

"When you look at the bigger picture, I believe the decision to postpone it for a year is probably the right one," said Padraig Harrington, one of three Irish players - along with Darren Clarke and Paul McGinley - who were due to represent Europe.

The Ryder Cup has been rescheduled until next September, although the actual date has yet to be finalised. It does seem likely, however, that it will be pencilled into the calendar either the week before or after the world strokeplay championship, which is to take place at Mount Juliet on September 19th-22nd.

It also means the Americans will be involved in two international team events next year, as they are due to play the President's Cup match against the Rest of the World in South Africa in November.

The final say in postponing the Ryder Cup - coming so soon after the atrocities in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania - lay with the American Ryder Cup officials, who liaised with the US government in coming to the decision.

Tiger Woods, the world's number one player, had been due to play in the Lancome Trophy in Paris this week, but withdrew over the weekend saying that it was no time to be playing competitive golf. Other players, including Phil Mickelson and Mark Calcavecchia, expressed concerns over security at The Belfry.

In the immediate aftermath of last Tuesday's atrocities, the American players had also stated an unwillingness to travel unless all 12 members of the team were happy to do so.

"Given the enormity of the tragedy in America, we informed European officials of our desire to postpone the matches until next year," said PGA of America chief executive Jim Awtrey in a statement.

"We understand this is a hardship for them to reschedule the matches next year, but it is important to us that the matches be played and not cancelled. We will work with our counterparts in Europe to ensure that the 34th Ryder Cup matches are played in the spirit in which they were meant."

US captain Curtis Strange remarked: "The tragedy caused us all to reflect and evaluate our own lives and relationships with family and friends. With regards to this year's Ryder Cup, my concern was always centred on the 'right thing to do', and the PGA of America's decision to postpone the matches is very appropriate in light of this situation."

Torrance described the decision as one of "common sense," adding: "What happened in America last week has put the Ryder Cup and everything else in perspective. I am desperately heartbroken for all the people involved in this terrible tragedy. All I can feel at the moment is an immense sadness."

A statement on behalf of the European Ryder Cup board said that the PGA of America informed them that the terrorist atrocity made it impossible for them to attend the matches scheduled for next week, and added: "We have been placed in a position beyond our control and therefore the matches, out of necessity, have been postponed. The invitation for the United States team and officials to attend the 34th Ryder Cup matches has not been withdrawn but extended.

"It has been agreed that the matches will take place with the same captains and the same 10 qualified players and the two wild cards as already nominated by the captains."