Strange saddened by Sam's strange decision

Curtis Strange today admitted he was disappointed that the 10th hole at the Belfry is unlikely to provide the exciting spectacle it usually does in the Ryder Cup.

The short par four with water in front of the green normally gives players the option, especially in fourballs, to try to drive the green.

But this year only the back tee will be used for all three days, meaning the hole measures 311 yards with a carry of around 260 yards to reach the putting surface.

“We are going to see very few players going for the green,” said the United States team captain.

“I was just stood out there with Sam Torrance and he said we are going to use the back tee every day.

“It’s disappointing for the fans and television but it’s Sam’s decision. It’s not going to be as exciting a hole which is too bad.

“The reason for it is that during the Benson and Hedges International (staged at the Belfry in May), from the front tee players were going in there with three irons. Sam did not want that and it’s his decision.

“From the back tee it’s a very small angle.”

Sergio Garcia did hit the green in this morning’s practice ground with a fairway wood, but Strange believes the majority of players will play a mid-iron to the fairway and leave only a sand wedge to the green.

“Two world class players from 90 yards with a sand wedge, I’m betting one of them will make birdie,” Strange added. “I’d rather have two putts for birdie than one for birdie and one for par.”

Strange revealed his first morning’s practice pairings were a good indication of who will play on the opening day on Friday.

The most notable of those saw Tiger Woods playing with Mark Calcavecchia in the company of Paul Azinger and Stewart Cink, while the second fourball was made up of David Duval and Davis Love, Phil Mickelson and David Toms.

Jim Furyk, Scott Hoch, Hal Sutton and Scott Verplank made up the final fourball.

“Practice rounds are very important, I think you should play with who I think you might play with in the matches,” Strange added. “My first day pairings are done.

“It’s a tricky situation when I have to name my pairings at midday on Friday and Saturday while matches are still going on, but I’m not too far off what I’m going to do.

“Because a team might not win a match it does not mean they have not played well together, that’s part of the decision making process after the first day. Picking the pairs for the foursomes on Friday afternoon is the tricky one.”