Leading European golfers will not boycott the 2009 Ryder Cup if a Scottish
course is picked instead of their preferred venue, Celtic Manor in Wales.
The Professional Golfers' Association and the European Tour are in dispute
over which course will stage the event. Senior figures in the PGA feared the Tour,
whose membership is the competitive elite such as Lee Westwood, Colin Montgomerie
and Sergio Garcia, would consider withdrawing their players if Celtic Manor was
not chosen.
But today, PGA chief executive Sandy Jones claimed: "We have had messages
from several players saying that, under no circumstances, would they not play
in the Ryder Cup, unless it was to be staged at a nonsensical venue."
Ken Schofield, executive director of the Tour, threw his weight behind Celtic
Manor this year, even though a selection committee had yet to make formal visits
to candidate sites that also include Loch Lomond, Gleneagles, Turn-berry and Carnoustie
in Scotland, and Slaley Hall near Newcastle.
The dilemma facing Schofield, who wants to increase the Tour's 50 per cent
stake in lucrative Cup matches staged in Europe, is that the selection committee
comprises three members each from the Tour and the PGA. In the event of a deadlock
it is the turn of the PGA, who are thought to favour Gleneagles, to have the casting
vote.
The PGA have even sought legal advice that the agreement giving them that ultimate
power of decision is binding. Jones said: "The situation has entrenched the
PGA, who are more determined than ever to retain 50 per cent control of the Ryder
Cup.
"I would stress again that nothing has been decided. It is still wide
open."
The chosen site will be announced during the 34th Ryder Cup at The Belfry in
September.
Meanwhile, the K Club here, which will stage the Cup clash between Europe and
USA in 2005, was receiving a final spruce-up before tomorrow's opening round of
the £2million Smurfit European Open.
Westwood will defend the title but Montgomerie will start as favourite to bank
the first prize cheque of £333,330 following his victory in the Murphy's
Irish Open on Sunday.
