US in Ryder Cup pledge

The tragic circumstances that caused the postponement of the Ryder Cup will not be forgotten when the United States and Europe play the match next year.

That was the pledge made today by Curtis Strange, captain of the American side who were due to defend the Cup at The Belfry next week.

He insisted: ?We will never forget why we?re playing in 2002. Everything will remain the same ? the teams, the site, the captains. This will always be the 2001 Ryder Cup. Our hats, our gear will still say 2001."

Strange is to demonstrate his ?solidarity? with the golfing community by entering this week?s Marconi Pennsylvania Classic. All competitors in this, the first US PGA Tour event to be staged since last Tuesday?s terrorist attacks, will observe five minutes? silence at noon during Thursday?s first round.

Strange and other members of the US Ryder Cup team will also participate in a special remembrance ceremony at the Texas Open next Tuesday. He added: ?Would it have been right to play the Ryder Cup in seven to 10 days? I don?t know. There?s no right or wrong decision. But there?s nothing wrong with sitting back, thinking and mourning for a week or so.?