THE Ryder Cup was marred by unsporting members of the crowd who heckled and harassed European team members, obviously trying to put them off their game.

On top of that, the American golfers, caddies, wives and others joined in celebration when they assumed they had retained the cup, delaying Olazabal playing his shot which could have squared the match.

There were apologies all round after the game. The Americans possibly deserved to win, but should they have been helped by cheating? I think not.

There is still a bitter taste in the mouth when we recall the Holyfield-Lewis travesty.

This seems to be one more devious episode of American win-at-all-costs attitude to sport.

K SOWERBUTTS, Southwood Drive, Baxenden.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.