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Ryder Cup captaincy won't be announced until late May

GOLF: The announcement of the European Ryder Cup captain for the 2004 matches against the United States will be made no earlier…

Sat Dec 21 2002 - 00:00

GOLF: The announcement of the European Ryder Cup captain for the 2004 matches against the United States will be made no earlier than May 22nd next year, the European Ryder Cup board announced yesterday.

The reason for the delay is that the new board needs to clarify its constitution, while the selection process of the European team to take on the US at Oakland Hills in Michigan from September 26th to 28th, 2004 is expected to be modified.

Either Ian Woosnam or Bernhard Langer is expected to captain the side.

"The time scale has been set in order that the constitution of the new Ryder Cup board can be determined prior to the meetings between the PGA European Tour board of directors, the tournament committee and the Ryder Cup board, which will take place during the week of the Volvo PGA Championship at Wentworth Club on May 22-25th," Mitchell Platts, Ryder Cup board spokesman, said in a statement.

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"There are a number of important issues to be confirmed, including the selection process for the 2004 European Team that will, in part, be based on a variation of the official world golf ranking system, and all matters will continue to be discussed through to the meetings in May."

Hal Sutton, a veteran of four Ryder Cups, was named as US captain for 2004 almost two months ago.

Sam Torrance, who led Europe to a dramatic victory over the United States in the 34th Ryder Cup in September, said on Thursday that changes to the qualification system for the 2004 matches would be to Europe's advantage.

This year's European Ryder Cup team comprised the top 10 in the European order of merit and two wild-card choices.

But the European Ryder Cup board is reported to be considering allowing five players from the world rankings, five from the order of merit and two wild cards.

Meanwhile, Tiger Woods believes he may not make his tournament comeback until next February, following knee surgery in the US last week.

The world number one underwent a successful one-hour procedure to remove fluid inside and outside the anterior cruciate ligament and has already pulled out of the USPGA Tour's season-opening Mercedes Championships from January 9-12th.

"I might not play again until February, which would be the longest break I've ever had in golf," Woods said on his official website. "In some ways, I'm looking forward to it. The more time I take off, the better my knee will be."