Golf: Cup players call for delay

LONDON - Members of the American golf team have called for this month's Ryder Cup match against Europe to be postponed after yesterday's devastating terror attacks.

"We are due to fly out on Sunday week to England, and my guess is that is too soon after this tragedy," former British Open champion Mark Calcavecchia said.

"We are all devastated by what has happened, so many innocent people killed.

"We were due to have dinner with the President at the White House before flying over to Britain, and that is not going to happen now.

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

Stewart Cink agreed with his American team-mate, saying: "I feel a lot less safe about flying to England than I did 24 hours ago."

Cink, who is due to make his debut in the biennial contest at the Belfry between September 28 and 30, said: "I have a wife and two boys and do not want to make them live without a husband and without a father just because I want to play in the Ryder Cup.

"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," Cink said.

"I don't think the Ryder Cup should go ahead, but there are lots of questions that need to be answered over the next few days.

"I will certainly be talking to the other members of the team about this."

The United States team were practising in St Louis when they heard news of the tragedy.

"This is a sad, sad day for America," world No 1 Tiger Woods said.

Ireland's Padraig Harrington, a member of Europe's Ryder Cup side, said: "I would support any action they want taken. There is no doubt this has hit the American players hard."

- REUTERS

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