Strange Puts Spin on Tiger’s Remarks

The signs posted at every turn at the Belfry read “2001,” but that doesn’t mean the time’s not right for the Ryder Cup. And perhaps another sign of the times was the number of armed officers patrolling the site, three days before the opening ceremony and four days before the matches actually begin.

Postponed a year ago because of security concerns after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks--it has been three years since the Ryder Cup last was played--the 34th edition began picking up speed Monday, propelled along by just the right fuel.

Yes, a small amount of controversy.

Curtis Strange, the U.S. captain, spent some of his time putting the appropriate spin on comments Tiger Woods made last week, saying the Ryder Cup’s social schedule is too demanding and takes him out of his routine.

Woods, of course, is correct. He might have said it last week while he was busy winning the American Express Championships in Ireland but was also saying the same thing at his first Ryder Cup at Valderrama in Spain in 1997.

No big deal, Strange said Monday.

“It’s been handled,” he said. “He’s a team player. We had dinner [Sunday] night and we discussed some of those things.

“This whole week takes you out of your normal routine for any player, not just Tiger Woods ... it’s a long week.

“Yes, there’s social functions we have to attend, which is fun, but when you come here, you’re going to be part of a team.”

Woods, who prefers T-shirts and blue jeans, will instead don a tuxedo and attend a black tie gala scheduled to end at 11:30 Wednesday night with practice rounds at 9 a.m. Thursday and then the opening ceremony at 3 p.m. The first four-ball matches begin at 8 a.m. Friday.

Strange also tried to take some of the steam out of another of Woods’ comments last week, when Woods said he would rather win the tournament in Ireland than the Ryder Cup.

Strange blamed the media.

“To me, it was an unfair question, because they’re different animals--stroke-play, individual tournament; match play, team event, teammates,” he said. “It’s really an unfair question and when you try to answer it honestly, I think you get into trouble. I think we both know when Tiger Woods plays, he’s ready to play, so he’s the least of my concern.”

Sam Torrance, captain of the European team, says that Woods answered the way he did because he endorses American Express, which sponsors the $5-million tournament.

Torrance also said he could not think of a single European who would say he’d rather win the tournament before the Ryder Cup instead of the Ryder Cup itself.

Said Torrance: “Tiger said he’d rather win the million last week than play this week? I think we’d probably chip in and pay him a million this week.”