SUTTON COLDFIELD, England, Sept. 26 (UPI) -- United States Captain Curtis Strange announced Thursday he will send the world's best player out in the opening match of the Ryder Cup, which got underway under sunny skies with a moving opening ceremony that featured a tribute to the memory of those affected by last year's terrorist attacks.
The Ryder Cup was one of the first major international sporting events disrupted by the events of Sept. 11, eventually being postponed a full year.
"These matches would have taken place a year ago had it not been for those attacks on Sept. 11," The Right Rev. Antony Dittus said during the opening ceremonies. "Those events remain much in our minds a year on.
"While they led to a war on terrorism, they also must continue to lead us all to do everything we can to foster and work for peace and for reconciliation between all peoples and all nations."
A moment of silence was held in the midst of the ceremonies, followed by a lone piper playing, "Amazing Grace."
"Not a day goes by that we don't remember just why we're playing these matches in the year 2002," Strange said in his opening remarks. "Every country represented here lost citizens that day.
"Some of have said that because of that, the exictement for this event has lessened. We will show how wrong they are. I can't imagine a Ryder Cup not being a thrilling competition. I can promise you these players are eager."
Three previous Ryder Cup matches have been played at The Belfry, site of this year's event, and Strange reminded his players that he was part of two of the competitions played at this course.
"I've lost one and I've halved one," Strange said as he looked at the members of his team. "Guys, there is only one thing left to do."
Plays begins at 8 a.m. local time Friday (3 a.m. EDT) with four foursomes matches.
World No. 1 Tiger Woods will be paired with Paul Azinger in the opening match against Darren Clarke and Thomas Bjorn. The other three matches will send David Duval and Davis Love III against Sergio Garcia and Lee Westwood; Scott Hoch and Jim Furyk against Colin Montgomerie and Bernhard Langer; and Phil Mickelson and David Toms against Padraig Harrington and Niclas Fasth.
The biggest surprise from the American side was the absence of Mark Calcavecchia in the first round of matches. Calcavecchia had been paired with good friend Woods during some of the practice rounds. Stewart Cink, Scott Verplank and Hal Sutton were also left out on the American side for Friday morning while the Europeans on the sidelines will be Pierre Fulke, Phillip Price, Paul McGinley and Jesper Parnevik.
Sixteen team matches will be played over the first two days with 12 singles matches scheduled for Sunday. Good weather is forecast for the entire weekend.
"We will play hard, but with civility, and show why this is the world's greatest game," Strange said during the ceremony.
"This is the proudest moment of my golfing career," Strange's counterpart Sam Torrance said. "I pledge our team will maintain the traditions of the Ryder Cup and of the game which we also serve. Golf at the highest level can be a spectacle that we can all be proud to be a part."
The United States' victory three years ago at The Country Club in Brookline, Mass., ended in controversy when American players spilled onto the 17th green to celebrate the 50-foot putt made by Justin Leonard that gave his team a chance to win the Cup. That celebration took place before Jose Maria Olazabal could even attempt his 20-foot putt that, had he made it, would have kept the outcome in doubt.
Because of that incident, and in the aftermath of Sept. 11, players and officials on both sides have pledged to return the competition to the friendly gathering it was intended to be by founder Samuel Ryder.
Strange emphasized that during his remarks.
"Ryder said, 'I trust the affect of this match will influence a cordial, friendly and peaceful feeling throughout the whole civilized world.'
"Fellows, let's make Samuel Ryder proud."
