United States captain Curtis Strange has not ruled out the possibility that the Ryder Cup competition could be postponed yet again depending on America's threatened action against Iraq. The event was postponed for 12 months last September following the terrorist attacks on America on September 11 but the possibility of the competition being put back yet again has arisen because of the USA's threat to invade Iraq.
Strange has said if this becomes a reality within the next two weeks, the event could once again be in jeopardy. "I don't think we should speculate on what might happen in the next 10 days or so," admitted Strange on BBC Radio 5 Live. "Tony Blair and our president are going to do what's right and I have the utmost confidence in them. Whatever our president decides to do I think we will all be behind. I haven't spoken to the other players and it is a question which needs to be asked of the (PGA) officials of Europe and America."
Ireland's Padraig Harrington has said nothing will stop him from turning up for the event but he would fully understand the Americans' position if they were at war. "I'd be there but I'd never even for a second judge anybody else for not turning up or playing if that was the case," he said.
"It does put them (the United States team) under pressure. They would possibly feel intimidated if there was a war. It would certainly make it more difficult for them. As one player said, playing for the United States at this time would be like walking around with a bullseye on your back. The sooner the Ryder Cup comes along the better so we don't have to deal with a scenario like that," he added.
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
