Sutton captains US Ryder Cup team

HAL SUTTON was confirmed last night as captain of the American Ryder Cup team for the 2004 match at Oakland Hills, near Detroit.

The 44-year-old takes over from Curtis Strange, widely criticised for his decision to put world number one Tiger Woods out last in the singles at The Belfry last month. Europe won back the trophy before Woods had a chance to influence the result.

There was always going to be a change in any case no American has been retained for a second match as captain since Ben Hogan in 1949 and Sutton was always the favourite.