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I hope that the whole Ryder Cup is played in the spirit set by Clarke and Woods, here's to a great contest played in a great spirit!

This Ryder Cup will dispell all the bad feeling of years gone by. Its going to be a classic. Lehman and Woosie will go down in Ryder cup Folklore.

It shows how fierce rivalry in Sport can be put to oneside when the grief of personal loss if felt by both parties.

Pardon the ignorant me, can anyone enlighten me how this good friend relationalship came about for Tiger n Clarke. Thanks.

Although Europe are slight favourites, I feel that the USA team approach, under the guidance of Tom Lehman has been better and they may just have the edge.

Having said that, it is tailor made for Darren Clarke to have a complete stormer and win it for his team. Imagine the emotion of a scene that sees Clarke with a 6 footer to win the Cup on Sunday? The atmosphere would be electric and the outpouring of emotion upon sinking it would be hard to beat....

why did clarke not hug williams

God bless Tiger, he is a great sportsman but perhaps a greater humanitarian. Both Tiger and Darren show us all that sport is also a bond between rivals. Judging by his comments in the Sunday press Montgomerie should learn from this and be less frosty to those around him whether they be Europeans or Americans.

Clarke and Woods came to know each other when they were both coached by Butch Harmon. Woods no longer is coached by him, not sure about Darren

This shows how respectable golf professionals today are, and how they go around their lives.

Tiger woods is possibly the only proper inspiration for children today, going along with his life in a professional and well-manoured way. And I admire Darren Clarke, it takes soo much courage and might for a man to return to his job weeks after the death of is beloved wife, I commend you Darren and Tiger. Two great strong men. Inspiration.

Tiger Woods is a very good role model to young people. He is a genuine nice human being.

Tiger and Darren became fiends when they were both being coached by Butch Harman.

Their friendship dates from them sharing Butch Harmon as a coach and was strengthened by them meeting in the World Championsip matchplay final a few years ago. Great too see. Lets hope for a great Ryder Cup.... and a European victory of course.

Charles: they have (had) the same coach, Butch Harmon.

Joseph: Would you hug a pit bull?

My question is this: if Tiger plays Clarke in singles, will everything under 5 feet be a gimme? If so, that works to Clarke's advantage. That guy's putting stroke is a mess.

i agree that tiger is a great man but being a junior golfer i feel he is bad for the game because he standards there and tries and hits it at top speed. . .. where as if ernie was number 1 we would have better junior golfers and maybe a better standard of golf on all tours

You mentioned that Woods' caddie went in for a hug as well, but Clarke only gave him a hand shake. Do you know why he did not give him a hug?

Joseph - I don't think there was necessarily a reason why Clarke didn't hug Williams but it was very funny to see the gruff Kiwi dip his shoulder and go in for it.

Clarke did give him a hearty handshake but clearly didn't feel quite the same way about Williams as he did his boss!

This is voyeurism, not journalism. Leave both players alone and give some dignity to the privacy of friendship and emotion attached to the loss of Heather Clarke.

Great stuff already isn't it? Just a couple of thoughts on Darren Clarke over this weekend. Yes he's under pressure but cometh the hour, cometh the man. Don't be surprised if Woosie selects Darren in the first group to hit the first tee shot smack down the middle this Friday morning. Can you imagine the Irish roar? That should serve to unnerve a few of the US rookies! Also, Captain Lehman won't make the same mistakes of some of his predecessors. He'll 'load' his heavyweights from the start for the Sunday singles so expect Tiger off first to try and set the momentum with a win and then to cheerlead the rest of the US team throughout the day. Only problem is, Woosie will anticipate this and select Darren as his lead off man for exactly the same reason for the Euro cause. Given Darren's record against Tiger in match-play, this will be a cracker! What an event this Ryder Cup promises to be!

Please forgive my cynicism but what's all this sentimentalism? Reading all the messages above made me cringe. Ok, Tiger and Clarke hugged (for obvious reasons!) but to read too much into that is wishful thinking.

Tiger's a humanitarian (maybe it was meant to be 'human')? What's coming next? How about nominating the two for Nobel Peace Prize for bringing about a thaw in the frozen relationship between Europeean and American golfers?

I believe Clarke did not hug Williams due to the fact he does not want to remember this tournament by the lose of his wife. By hugging all players, it becomes more than a golf game, and more of a emotional event for Clarke. He's a true gent, and is passionate about his golf and wants to get on with the job in hand.

"Tiger and Darren became fiends when they were both being coached by Butch Harman." -------Is Butch Harman a werewolf?

Darren has always been my favourite player. He is the type of player every golfer should like. Pure natural talent combine with a very pleasant approach to fans (the guy next door). Not only with his extraordinary golf he has show us what a character he is, but also through sportsmanship (Nissan Irish open) and more recently throughout his strength as a human.
I wish the European team all the best and hope to celebrate from Edinburgh a hat trick this coming Sunday. But I specially wish Darren to play a very good RC and all the best for him the rest of his career.

I think Darren's decision to play was a massive personal step for him but a good one to take. Tiger and Darren are good mates since their Butch Harmon days and Tiger has been quoted several times in recent weeks saying that Darren is one of his closest friends in the game.

All Europeans will be hoping we retain/win the Cup again but I don't think we will see anything but good sportsmanship this week. With Tiger and Chris DiMarco having lost parents in the last while as well as Darren loosing Heather all the players know that at the end of the day its just a game and there is more to life.

Best of luck to the Europeans over the weekend.

Tiger has a point to prove, Mickelson, is hungry, Dimarco is pumped up, come on you Lehmann, its about time, bring the Cup home , where it belongs, 2 times is more than enough for the Europeans, a hat-trick of wins is unthinkable

Although its a loss for clarke, everyone loses someone. why is he given special treatment.

What has he done the past year or so to warrant a place in the team?

He has got in on a sympathy vote, thats all. an utter disgrace, there are better players at present out there

"Why didn't Clarke hug Williams?"

Easy answer to a simple question - have you seen the size of Williams? One hug from him, and he'll crush Darren ! !

Go Europe - three in a row sounds good to me...

Tiger and Darren both lost a dear family member to cancer. Among all the golfers, only Tiger knows the feeling of losing someone so close (few others may know but their loss didn't happen recently). The moment Tiger heard about Darren's loss he immediately contacted Darren and consoled him. A friend in need is a friend indeed. The friendship that grew while getting coaching tips from B. Harmon deepened.

I do hope that Woosnam is not be this short sighted come Friday, as these pairing seem a little short sighted.

Simply pairing players together because they're from the same country seem to be a recipe for disaster to me.

For example, two years ago Sergio Garcia played beautifully with Luke Donald while Monty had a great record with Harrington.

Hopefully this is just an early 'loosener' for the players rather than an insight into how the European captain is going to play his cards when the chips are down.

As long as Europe wins and Tiger Woods wins all his games I will be satisfied. I am a great fan of Tiger Woods but he has a poor record in the Ryder Cup.

Over the past week Clarke has had to put up with questions from journalists relating to the death of his wife that should never be asked never mind answered. Some of the questions asked have come across as insensitive. Afterall he is only a golfer and not prime minister, so it's hardly in the public interest to know what his mental state is.

how did Clarke get out of the Williams hug?

Totally agree with James' comments about dignity and emotion. Let the contest begin.

It's hardly voyeurism - they did it in the middle of the practice range in front of about 500 people, many with cameras. That's not to mention the professional snapper that got the picture.

It does, however, beg the question; Why didn't they just seek each other out in the hotel last night?

Granted, the two teams are occupying separate wings of the sumptuous K Club hotel, but couldn't they have met in the lobby?

This is what golf should be about as well as having competitiveness in the sport.

Tiger is a true gentleman and true golfer may the best team win in the Ryder Cup!

Tiger has no manners, sure he didn't even put his club down when hugging DC.

It was so good to see Tiger and Clarke hug like they did and show a heart felt feeling towards each other. Other sports should take a look at this and take something from it, especially as this is one of the biggest events in sport.

I understand that Tiger and Darren used to be coached by the same guy - Butch Harman, and as a result formed a close bond

#33. Perhaps this is the first time they have seen each other since arriving? We're not all free from feeling and emotion. Anyhow, as Darren shirked Williams, I believe his actions were hardly OTT.
Why all the cynicism? Tiger and Darren are obviously hugely popular golfers, who have both gone through difficult times of late. Neither are conceited nor sycophantic.
Lets applaud the good will and enjoy the golf.

Mervin - can't really agree that the Ryder Cup "belongs" in the USA - we've won four of the last five you know!!

So many sports of late have been beset with corruption,lack of sportsmanship and general greed. Despite the rewards in the sport the golf family has shown the general decency and friendship that prevails today with the Tiger/Darren embrace.

This weekend the game has it's chance to shine and show the true spirit of competition fired by the passion of playing for nothing else other than the team and the love of game.Can't wait..

cant wait for the ryder cup, should be a fantastic weekend of golf. lets hope its another european victory with clarke sinking the winning putt!

I know its not related but can anyone tell me why Jimenez is not in the team...He is pure quality and by far the most enjoyable European gofer to watch???????

I think that was one of the greatest acts in sport. They set aside their competetive differences to comfort one another, this truly is one of the greatest ambassadors for sport that there could be. The fact that opponents can help each other as friends

Post #14 proves, yet again, as if we needed reminding, that kids shouldn't be allowed such public access until they have a fundamental respect for form, style and grammar.... let alone the knowledge and experience to make a worthwhile point.

i think clarke and woods was a really nice moment.who cares about all the questions as to why they hugged! Who cares. they are obviously close enough to share this moment and just because they are multi millionaire sports stars doesnt mean they dont have feelings.ask Darren this, would he give up all his money to have the mother of his two boys and his wife back in the family home? There is only 1 answer which sadly wont happen,and as for tiger his emotional outbreak after the open vicory spoke volumes for the man,1 final point on the williams hug issue is that on the 18th green at the open williams didnt seem too keen to hug tiger(or was that just my perception? maybe he was tryng too hard to make up by offering the hug to Darren.Good luck Europe !

At 04:00 PM on 19 Sep 2006, CRAIG wrote:

Although its a loss for clarke, everyone loses someone. why is he given special treatment.

What has he done the past year or so to warrant a place in the team?

He has got in on a sympathy vote, thats all. an utter disgrace, there are better players at present out there

... all I can say CRAIG is I hope you don't ever lose a family member and expect any kind of sympathy you moron!

I was one of those lucky spectators who actually did witness this embrace at the K Club today . It was a genuine touching moment in life and in sport . Moments like these are very rare in competitive sport and indeed everyday life these days. It promises to be an unforgettable week of golf, drama and emotion.

That's what the sport is all about. Clarke and Tiger are total class acts. Now let's see them battle in Match Play!!! We'll see how emotional it gets.

This proves that golf is a gentleman's game after all. Two men will fight till the end on the fairways like gladiators of old but remain good friends outside. Congrats to Tiger Woods and Darren Clarke for setting the high standard.

Tiger is mega sportstar but very much human as well and not afriad to show emotions in the public. A top champion.

Can't say I'm bothered if they hug or not, although I'm sorry for the loss they have both experienced this year.
Can the Â鶹Éç come up with a bleep for all the "get in the hole" shouts we're going to get?

It seems that the Americans have finally learnt some lessons. There approach has been much more low key and professional and they haven't paraded around like, as favourites, they have done in the last few years. A little humility never heart anyone and I think we are going to witness the best ryder cup for years as both teams are so evenly matched but more importantly they both know it. I have to echo everyone else in saying how special Tiger is. One of the greatest competitors in the world of sport but carries himself with a grace unmatched, and this more than anything is why he is so popular. What a great man.

Am I the only cynic that thinks is a master stroke from Tiger's media camp? What better way to "prove" to everyone that he's getting into the team spirit by having this "humantarian" photograph posted on every golf website and sports pages across the globe.

This may be a team weekend and they may not be getting paid for playing, but the sponsorship cheques keep rolling in - especially when you happen to be holding a top of the range driver in your hand and your sponsor's logo clearly showing on your glove!

Don't be so naive folks - just like every other sport on TV - money rules.

As for the golf - Monty will once again be our shining knight - and then we'll have the battle of the Monty's for the sports personality of the year award.

Come on Europe - another landslide victory please.

For pity's sake can we stop this. So two good mates who presumably hadn't met up for a while hugged each other. It's the sort of ordinary human response that happens everywhere, every day, in every walk of life and it's not particularly unusual in sport. Remember Freddy Flintoff consoling Brett Lee at the end of a Test match last year?

I've even been known to hug the odd friendly rival after we've just spent 80 minutes trying to knock six bells out of each other in a rugby match.

Golf is just like any other sport - it has its share of graceless idiots and mercifully, an equal smattering of nice, decent men like Woods and Clarke. Can we get on now?

To Andy: So Tiger's standards are too "there" for you thus making him a bad role model for young golfers? But isn't that what you need; a high standard to which you can aspire? Look at how women's tennis changed when the Williams sisters started playing. The women playing the WTP tour knew they had to raise their game if they were going to beat them. That, by the way, is what happens whenever Tiger is beaten, his opponents raise their game. When they don't, they miss 2-foot putts and end up losing. In case you are wondering, I am a big fan of Ernie's but I am happier when he's winning

If golf was a gentleman's game then competitors should shake hands.

Hugging ... yuk!

There are a few comments on here that make me curious, most of all #35...Think about it..you've just lost your father very recently to cancer. You then see a close friend of yours, who has just lost his wife to cancer as well. The last thing on your mind will be..'Ooh let me see...would holding my club be bad manners?'

I don't know a lot of Clarke, but what I do know suggests he has is one of the most genuine people on the circuit. He has always seemed to handle things with great humility, unlike some others mentioned in this blog. I have a son who has a talent for the game, but he is continually frustrated by the so called elitists..... i.e. inverted snobs who glory in either low handicaps and/or pots of money... Good luck Darren, may your warmth and friendly demeanour prevail... Oh - have strong fancy for USA this time, though.

Tiger Woods is a true sportsman and this was a wonderful gesture given the appalling, spiteful publicity surrounding his wife. He, as ever, has behaved in a dignified manner and sets an excellent example to the young. If only some of the greedy, grasping, arrogant footballers would emulate him. Come to that some members of the press could learn a great deal by observing his behaviour.

As a reply to Dave #53. I think you need to rein in your cynicism. What do you expect Woods to do. Put down his club, take off his glove, and then go and give his mate a hug. To suggest it was staged is beyond preposterous. It wasn't done for the cameras, rather in spite of them being there I would say. It sounds as though you could do with a good hug yourself Dave.

I can't believe there's so many people who can't deal with the concept of two men hugging each other as an act of support in a time of mutual grief.

So far this Ryder Cup build up has been the most exciting and sportsman-like ever, with no talk of it being anything but a fantastic advert for the event and the game of golf in general and with none of the 'hatred' type remarks that have been previously used. We all know though that both sides are desperate to win for their own reasons but the real winner will (and surely should be) the game of golf itself.

Craig, Darren Clarke was picked because he is one of the best golfers in Europe without a doubt.

OK he hasn't had results this year but he played on a limited schedule to his personal circumstances and when he did play can you imagine how difficult it would have been keeping his focus on golf.

He did not get the sympathy vote, he got in on merit as hed has proved over the years how great a golfer he is.

David

Re point 25 (Craig), what a nice bloke you must be! And who exactly would you have ahead of one of Europe's finest - Thomas Choker Bjorn!?

OK guys, sorry for being slow but who hugged who?

I think its pathetic that Clarke didnt hug Woods caddy. He was simply showing compassion and solidarity for Clarke in what has been a very tough few months, and it doesnt take much to give someone a hug. Clarke, we all have problems mate, next time someone reaches out with a gesture like that, hug him back, you never know it might even make you feel better!

Re #25 - Darren is a great golfer and the only person in Europe more deserving of a wild card would be Monty but he didn't need one this time round. To say that he was picked on a sympathy vote is utter nonsense. He is picked on merit and it shows how strong his character is that he accepted and then played a tournament to get his game together before the ryder cup starts.
As for "Mr Cynical" (#53), not everything Tiger does is for the sponsors. You really think he needs the money any more???
Good luck Europe. Should be an interesting contest.

Re point 25. If I was one of the rookies on the USA team the last person I'd want to see stood opposite me on the first tee would be Darren Clarke with the whole of Ireland behind him.

By the way he can play a bit as well.

#53. How could you even contemplate that Woods is attempting to glorify himself as a humanitarian by hugging Clarke?

These are 2 guys who happen to be close friends who have both lost someone so very close to them.

I'm here hoping that Woods, Clarke and Di Marco have a fantastic reception when they step on the tee as well as having storming tournaments - They deserve it after going through their losses this year.

I hope that Darren plays well and our thoughts are with him.
He is an excellent asset to the team and i am confident that he will perform to his own very high standards. COME ON EUROPE!!!

Good on Clarke for shutting down Williams he was trying to get in on the whole hug fest....

In response to Andy's comment (14)- Tiger's shown he can approach any course how he wants (Hoylake, The PGA) and still beat the field playing longer irons into greens and less drivers off the tee. Suggesting Woods is bad for the game is both naive and utterly ridiculous- he's probably one of the reasons you're even playing golf. Count yourself lucky your able to witness PROBABLY the best golfer of all time!

Everyone's already made the point that they've been friends for years since having the same coach. So good in fact that Tiger has a rude nickname for DC.

They're great mates and I'm sure Tiger has privately empathised with DC before now, but this kind of thing HAS to be done for the cameras as well otherwise people would be asking questions.