Golf: Venue for 2009 Ryder Cup to be discussed

The Ryder Cup Board has announced that the host nation and venue for the 2009 event is to be discussed next month.

Courses in the north east of England, Scotland and Wales are among the bidders to host the prestigious Europe v America clash in eight years time.

Mitchell Platts, spokesman for the Ryder Cup, said: "The Ryder Cup Board is keen to stress that no decision on the host nation for the 2009 match has been taken.

"The Ryder Cup Board has been extremely impressed by the bids, all of which are being given total consideration and they will continue a process of evaluation leading to an announcement in advance of the 2001 match."

This year's showpiece is set to be held at the Belfry in September. The tournament will then head back over the Atlantic to Bloomfield Hills in Michigan in 2003 and be held at the K Club in Ireland two years later.

Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville will host the 2007 event before it once again returns to Europe.