The
Ryder Cup
in association with Genuity International |
| | | Tiger
Woods relief at postponement Tiger
Woods has described the postponement of the Ryder Cup until September 2002 as
"definitely the right decision".
Woods was one of a number
of players who had questioned whether the Belfry event should go ahead at the
end of the month following the terrorist attacks in America. The
world number one had already pulled out of the Lancome Trophy in Paris and spoke
of his relief after being informed of the decision on Sunday by captain Curtis
Strange. I
think we need to come together as a nation, and I think we're doing that
"The last
thing you want to do is get caught in Europe." Woods
claims he would have played if the USPGA had decided to take part but says he
now wants to concentrate on the situation in America. He
told his own website tigerwoods.com: "I think we need to come together as
a nation, and I think we're doing that. "It's
unfortunate that it took a situation like this to bring people together, but at
least it's happening. "Our
national pride is starting to come out." American
team captain Curtis Strange says that safety was not the only concern behind the
decision to postpone the tournament. "This
was not a decision on security, although it's an issue and concern," said
Strange. "This
was mostly a concern on what's right and appropriate to do. Strange
has placed golf's importance in perspective
"We have to remember
golf is not that big a deal. When you look at it, it's small potatoes in the big
picture." Strange
added that he was torn as to whether the tournament should be played as scheduled.
"Every one
of us fluctuate back and forth," Strange said. "In
one 10-minute segment I want to play and in the next 10-minute segment I don't."
Meanwhile the
Americans' biennial contest against an International side for the Presidents Cup
looks likely to be put back 12 months. The
match was due to be played in South Africa in November next year but is set to
take place in 2003. "Curtis
said the same Ryder Cup team would play next year in September at The Belfry and
the Presidents Cup goes to 2003," said Woods. "They've
moved everything back a year." PGA
Tour public relations chief Bob Combs added: "Obviously our hosts in South
Africa are just now coming to terms with the need to reschedule. "We'll
be having discussions with everyone and making an official announcement, hopefully
within a week."
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