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PGA of America hopes to go forward with Ryder Cup
( 2001-09-14 10:04 ) (7 )

The PGA of America, despite grumblings from some US players reluctant about this month's Ryder Cup following Tuesday's terror attacks, said on Thursday it hopes the competition against Europe will go forward as scheduled.

David Duval, Mark Calcavecchia and Stewart Cink -- three of the 12-man US side set to compete in the matches September 28-30 at The Belfry -- have expressed misgivings about travelling to England for what has become one of golf's greatest events.

Jim Awtrey, CEO of the PGA of America, which administers the competition from the US side, said in a statement from his Florida offices he hoped the Cup would be held as planned but that a final decision would take days to formulate.

"Like the rest of America, we are deeply mourning the tragic loss of life and the series of events which will change the way we live," Awtrey said.

"These changes also have an impact on the upcoming Ryder Cup matches which are to be played in England. We continue to have discussions with US captain Curtis Strange and have communicated to a number of players that the safety of the team and their families is of utmost importance.

"It is our desire for the Ryder Cup matches to go forward.

"Having said that, the magnitude of the matches requires many logistics which are impacted by the events of this week.

"We are reassessing every logistic connected with the matches - a process which will take a number of days and which will require input from our government. When our assessment is complete, we will make further announcements as appropriate."

GOING AHEAD

Players on both sides have been torn about the pros and cons of going ahead with the competition.

Several American players voiced reservations about the Cup when asked in St Louis, where they were gathered for the $5 million American Express Championship, which was called off on Thursday because of the attacks.

World number two David Duval, who won the British Open in July, had been excited about playing the Ryder Cup but was now unsure.

"It depends on the response over the next few days but it is not so much the match that concerns me as the travel," he said.

"Even if it is on, I don't know if I'll go."

Stewart Cink was quoted as saying: "The United States do not have many national sides in international competition, so this would be a huge target for any of America's enemies.

"If someone wanted to strike at America, or freedom, or capitalism, the Ryder Cup would be a tempting event to hit."

Said Calcavecchia, "I think you can forget about the Ryder Cup for a few months at least."

DIFFERENT REACTION

Other players had a different reaction.

"Do you want the terrorists to influence your life in@ways than they already have or do you cancel it out of respect for what has happened?" said Scott Hoch.

Britain's Colin Montgomerie said he thought playing the match at The Belfry could send out a positive message.

"If you cancel or postpone it, then you are allowing the terrorists to win," the Scot said.

European captain Mark James said on Wednesday that a postponement was not feasible and that the matches needed to go on as scheduled, or be cancelled altogether.

The players are not paid for playing in the sport's leading team competition and, with many of them unhappy about how its multi-million pound profits are used, one solution could be to play it as a memorial for the victims of the attacks with all profits going toward the disaster relief fund.

Organisers of the American Express Championship have said this year's US$5 million prize fund will be donated toward the disaster relief fund.