Strange sympathises for Westwood

American captain Curtis Strange insists he takes no pleasure in seeing Lee Westwood struggle just a month before Europe try to win back the Ryder Cup at The Belfry.

Westwood went into the US PGA championship in Minnesota today ranked 139th in the world. Just 15 months ago he was fourth.

"I know what he's going through and I hate to see any professional go through it," said Strange.

"It's tough. You've got to keep beating your head against a wall every day and hope finally it will turn around."

Two more of the 24 players on show in six weeks' time - American Hal Sutton and Swede Pierre Fulke - have also fallen outside the world's top 100 since the 12-month postponement of the match because of the September 11 terrorist attacks.

Strange, however, does not believe the contest is in danger of being devalued either because of their poor form or the fact that only two Europeans (Darren Clarke and Sergio Garcia) and just three Americans (Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Jim Furyk) have won tournaments this season.

"When has the Ryder Cup ever been played with the 24 best players at that time? Probably never," he commented.

The decision was taken immediately that the two teams would remain the same for the re-arranged date and Strange does not think it would be right for anybody to drop out - or even ask to be left out - because their games had deserted them.

"I think that would be bad because they are worthy of representing their country because they made the team to start with," he added.

"I don't think it will take anything away from the match. Just because their form went bad because of an attack on our country I think they still should be part of that team.

"You have to remember that only eight out of 12 have to play each match (before the singles). Even if somebody is not in good form or if somebody gets the 'flu or something, they don't have to play until Sunday."

Sutton and former Open champion David Duval are the two biggest worries for Strange. Sutton has missed the halfway cut in his last five tournaments and does not have a single top 10 finish all season, while Duval has had only one and has missed the cut on four of his last five starts.

"I played with them this week and I think their games are coming around," stated Strange.

Three years ago in Boston Mark James controversially chose to omit Jean Van de Velde, Andrew Coltart and Jarmo Sandelin from the fourballs and foursomes, but Strange is expecting to call all his 12 into action before the singles unless somebody is injured or sick.

The match on September 27-29 will begin against the background, of course, not only of last year's tragedy, but also the highly-charged ending to the 1999 clash, when American players ran onto the green before the match was decided and Europeans, most notably Colin Montgomerie, were badly heckled.

"We're going to remember why we're a year late and we should never forget why we're playing this year," said Strange.

"But once the tee goes in the ground Friday morning I think you're going to have a good solid match the way it's always been and a partisan crowd, which is the way it should be.

"I don't think there's an extra need to remind players about etiquette because another year has passed since Brookline.

"They are all grown men. I think they know mistakes have been made in the past and I think they all understand that we'll be under a microscope this year.

"Not because of what might have happened or did happen at the Country Club in '99, but I feel it's more of a responsibility to represent yourself and your country in a manner in which everyone at home will be very proud.

"Since we were the first team that was delayed after the attacks I think the TV audience will be tremendous in size. I think we should know that and we should realise that, to act the way we are all brought up.

"But emotion is why everybody likes to watch this event so much. We play as robots every day of our lives out here and we think we play better when we hold our emotions inside.

"In the Ryder Cup it's OK to let your emotion run freely. It can be detrimental to you, but it's still the way you play the game in the Ryder Cup.

"Because of that the fans like it, the TV audience likes it, everyone in the media enjoys it. You can let your emotions go and root for your team win, lose or draw."