Slow play agitates Americans already

Sergio Garcia told the United States to chill out after they complained about slow play during the first practice rounds at The…

Sergio Garcia told the United States to chill out after they complained about slow play during the first practice rounds at The Belfry today.

But European captain Sam Torrance tried to diffuse any bad blood between the two sets of players over the speed of play by apologising to the Americans at the halfway point.

Tiger Woods was among America's first fourball out on the course when they caught up with Europe's third and final fourball of Garcia, Bernhard Langer, Jesper Parnevik and Paul McGinlay, at the third hole.

However, Woods, Mark Calcavecchia, Paul Azinger and Stewart Cink got so fed up with waiting they jumped in front of all the European teams and went straight on to the eighth hole, missing out the four in between.

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Another American, Scott Hoch, was later overheard talking to Calcevecchia and he said: "There you have it, the first incident of the week."

When asked for his reaction to the Americans' behaviour, Garcia said he had been unaware they had missed four holes.

But the Spaniard said he would never have done that, and suggested Woods and co relaxed and enjoyed the fine conditions a bit more.

"We have all day, we don't need to hurry," said Garcia. "We have all day to practice, it is only six matches playing out there. Just enjoy the day, you are not going to get many like this."

American captain Curtis Strange admitted the Europeans had been well within their rights to take a few practice putts on the greens because the slow play policy was not in effect today.

But he defended his players when he said: "My lead practice round group all play fast, that's why I put them out first. Hit one ball, putt a little and go. They caught up with the European team and switched over. They play fast, so that's okay."

Earlier, Torrance met the American players on the ninth green and apologised to them, because he said he felt it was the right thing to do.

"You've got to understand it's the first practice day," said Torrance. "I think the mistake was putting the two teams out directly behind each other; there should have been a half hour gap.

"They are going to take some time, it is the first practice round for the Ryder Cup. I am not concerned about the speed of play."