Mark James looks
pensive during the third round of the English Open. Allsport
Tom Lehman has blasted last
year's European Ryder Cup captain Mark James, describing the Englishman as "really
low class."
An angry Lehman made the
comment in response to James's controversial new book, "Into the Bear Pit", in
which James slams the American for his behavior at last year's Ryder Cup.
When Justin Leonard sank
a long putt on the 17th green at Brookline that all but clinched the Ryder Cup
for the United States, Lehman led a charge onto the green. The spontaneous joyous
celebration still rankles James as Jose Maria Olazabal had yet to take his putt,
which could have kept the Cup alive if he sank it for birdie.
"Calls himself a man of
God. That was the most disgraceful thing I've ever seen," James writes.
Lehman, in an interview
with TourInsider.Com from the Kemper Open, returned fire.
"I think he ought to be
proud that he's dragging the Ryder Cup through the muck, like he said he didn't
want to do," a sarcastic Lehman said.
"I'm a little angry. I
think it's really low class. If that's what he thinks is best, that's his decision."
Lehman isn't the only one
James slams in the book. He also takes shots at American Hal Sutton and even
fellow Briton Nick Faldo, who wasn't playing the Ryder Cup.
All this is likely to increase
tension at next year's Ryder Cup as James has been named assistant captain of
the European team -- a position that might now be in jeopardy given the enemies
he has made on his side of the Atlantic.
In his attack on Lehman,
James writes: "I thought it not so much a question of Lehman's beliefs, more
an indication of moral downfall.
"He has always regarded
himself as someone who upheld the values of the game and its etiquette but on
that day he was way off the mark, to the extent that I will never be able to
look on him in the same light again."
As far as Lehman is concerned
it is James who has exhibited questionable morals.
"I guess every story needs
a good villain and I'm glad he's found one in me," Lehman said.
"I hope he feels good about
that. I also hope he feels good about making money off of taking shots at people's
character and integrity."
In reaction
to Lehman's earlier riposte, James said: "It was not my intention to stir up
a hornet's nest.
"The Ryder
Cup was devalued in 1999. I don't think my book will do that and I think the
chances of a peaceful match next year are enhanced by addressing the problems
of Brookline.
"I'm amazed
by Tom's reaction. The American was, after all, cast as the villain of the piece
at the time and, afterwards, he apologised. I don't think I've been particularly
harsh on him in the book. I didn't approve of his actions but I have not launched
into an anti-Lehman book."
