Golf: McGinley wary of retaliation
Ireland's Paul McGinley fears retaliation by the US over the terrorist attacks this week will place the Ryder Cup in even greater jeopardy.
Serious doubts have already been raised about the contest being staged at The Belfry on September 28-30.
Several players have expressed their concern about travelling and whether it is appropriate to play after such a tragedy.
The majority of this week's sporting events in America - and others around the world - have been postponed or cancelled as a mark of respect, including the World Golf Championships event in St Louis.
"The decision to cancel the American Express event was taken democratically and the overwhelming opinion was not to play," said McGinley, who remained at Bellerive Country Club to practice as there was no chance of getting a flight home.
"It's the same with the Ryder Cup. The decision must be made democratically and I think we are going to have some Americans not wanting to come.
"The problem will be that you are going to have some kind of retaliation from the American government in the next two weeks. That will be the biggest problem for the Ryder Cup.
"It's a horrible situation and a horrible decision for people to have to make."
The only occasion the Ryder Cup has been cancelled was on the outbreak of World War Two but this is clearly the most serious situation which has been faced since then.
However, there appears to have been a change in opinion among the American players, particularly Mark Calcavecchia who earlier this week had called for the event to be postponed.
"You've got to move on. If you don't, you're giving in," he said.
"If you would have asked me yesterday, I'd probably say that it wouldn't be played. Ask me again next Monday or Tuesday and you might get a different answer. It's a timing thing.
"Time heals all wounds and maybe next week it won't seem so bad. Maybe it will.
"If they play, I'll be there. If they don't, I'll support that as well."
And in a similarly positive move, the USPGA issued a statement declaring their desire to see the showpiece event go ahead.
Jim Autrey, chief executive officer of the PGA of America, said: "Like the rest of America, we are deeply mourning the tragic loss of life and the series of events which will change the way we live.
"These changes also have an impact on the upcoming Ryder Cup matches which are to be played in England.
"We continue to have discussions with US captain Curtis Strange and have communicated to a number of players that the safety of the team and their families is of utmost importance.
"It is our desire for the Ryder Cup matches to go forward. Having said that, the magnitude of the matches requires many logistics which are impacted by the events of his week.
"We are reassessing every logistic connected with the matches - a process which will take a number of days and which will require input from our Government.
"When our assessment is complete we will make further announcements as appropriate."
