Fans unhappy as Tiger ignores timetable

Tiger Woods had the fans moaning and the marshals jumping when he ignored the Ryder Cup timetable and set his own agenda.

The world’s No.1 golfer was due to join the rest of his American team-mates to play the front nine holes at 9am on the final practice day here at The Belfry.

But Woods was on the course at 6.45am with Mark Calcavecchia - his expected partner in the Ryder Cup - and the pair played the back nine holes of the Brabazon course.

Woods took the officials by surprise with his decision to play early and a small team of marshals had to be assembled to accompany him on his practice round. When spectators began arriving at the course later in the morning, they assembled at the first tee, unaware that Woods had already been out and played.

But they were left disappointed as he failed to join his team-mates for the official practice round, and this angered many of the fans who had come here especially to see him.

Graham Black, who set off from Warrington at 5.30am, said: "It’s out of order. A lot of people will have just had a ticket for this practice day and wanted to see Tiger Woods - but he has already gone."

Woods had given American team captain Curtis Strange a minor scare yesterday afternoon when he complained that his injured shoulder was causing him pain, and needed extensive treatment from the team physios.

But he is expected to lead the charge for the holders of the trophy when the 34th Ryder Cup tees off with the first fourball match at 8am tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Iain Burns, who has witnessed three Ryder Cups from close quarters as a referee, reckons this year’s event will be a "fun" affair. Burns, now the director of golf at the Marriott Dalmahoy Golf & Country Club, was on rules duty for the last three clashes - at Oak Hill, Valderrama and Brookline - during his spell with the PGA. He’ll be a spectator at The Belfry this week and believes there will be no repeat of the behaviour which marred the match three years ago.

"I have excellent memories of the Ryder Cup and it was something else to be behind the 18th green to witness the celebrations at Oak Hill in 1995," said Burns. "I also enjoyed being at Brookline, though that was marred a bit by the over exuberance of the Americans.

"I honestly think we will see a lot more fun than the Ryder Cup has experienced in recent years," he added.

"There is still going to be a strong competitive edge but I think the players are going to be more relaxed about the whole thing."