IT IS no longer a matter of if or when, rather where, the Ryder Cup will be staged in Ireland in 2005. Official confirmation of this country playing host to the biennial joust between Europe and the United States won't be formally announced until the match at Valderrama in September. But Ken Schofield, the PGA European Tour executive director, has informed the Irish authorities chasing its staging that he will commit to paper a list of conditions which must be met.
However, it is believed that the Tour's requirements are in line with Irish expectations, including a commitment to continue hosting of PGA European Tour events in Ireland (at present, the Murphy's Irish Open and the Smurfit European Open are the two Irish events on the circuit, while the AIB Irish Senior Open has joined the expanding seniors' tour). Also whatever the venue eventually chosen, a financial contribution is expected towards its staging. Schofield has, however, ruled out any dutch auction.
Bernard Allen, the outgoing Minster for Sport, had further discuss ions with Schofield at the German Open in Stuttgart last weekend and, was informed that formal proposals are being out-lined by the Tour to the committee established by the Minister to bring the Ryder Cup to Ireland.
"I'm glad the process to stage one of The world's major sporting events in Ireland for an historic first time is now on target for a September announcement," said the Minister.
Effectively, the Tour are adopting the same approach taken with Spain in the lead-up towards awarding the event to Valderrama, seeking assurances and commitments. It means the onus will be fairly and squarely on the shoulders of Bord Failte and the Irish government to continue their commitment to the hosting of major golf tournaments in Ireland.
Significantly, the Tour's decision to name Ireland as the host venue in 2005 (the PGA, as distinct from the PGA European Tour, opted for The Belfry as the venue in 2001) won't coincide with an announcement regarding the actual course. That is unlikely to be named for another two years.
The parameters will be laid out well before then and potential courses will be aware of the financial considerations involved. However, it would seem that the likes of The K Club, Mount Juliet and, possibly, Druids Glen, would be the main contenders.
Meanwhile, Darren Clarke, the only Irish player guaranteed a place on Seve Ballesteros's team for Valderrama, resumes his European Tour commitments in the Peugeot French Open at the National starting on Thursday.
The Ulsterman will be joined by seven countrymen including Paul McGinley, who is still within touching distance of a Ryder Cup place. However, Padraig Harrington has decided to take a week's break prior to next week's Murphy's Irish Open at Druids Glen.
The other Irish players competing in Paris are Ronan Rafferty, Philip Walton, Eamonn Darcy, Des Smyth, David Higgins and Raymond Burns.
Burns is hoping for a change in fortune after arriving in Stuttgart last week only to discover that his regular caddie, Scottie Gilmour had decided to take up an offer from Tony Jacklin to work with him on the US Seniors Tour.
"It was an unsatisfactory situation," said Burns, who missed the cut in Germany. "I'm actually playing well but I had to rely on a number of different people to carry my bag. I haven't been able to organise a caddie for Paris yet, but I will have Matthew Byrne next week in Druids, which has eased my worries."
Elsewhere, Tiger Woods has admitted the pressures of playing to large galleries is getting to him and he has decided not to play in this week's St Jude Classic in Memphis. His tenure as world number one proved to be a short one. US Open champion Ernie Els's win in the Buick Classic enabled him to leapfrog over Woods to the top spot.
Organisers of the Irish Open could be forgiven some frustration. Last year, Els was the big "import" for the event but didn't exactly have the fans chasing him around the fairways.
