THE sponsors say it is the event that will cause "half a billion people to hold their breath". Of that, frankly, we're doubtful, but you have to hand it to the Ryder Cup: for a sport that attracts about as much public interest as a Bob Geldof album, they sure do know how to keep it interesting.

While golf is often referred to as a good walk ruined, the infighting and backstabbing that go along with the Ryder Cup would almost make it worthwhile to remortgage your house just so you could rent a cottage somewhere near the K Club next weekend.

Recent years have seen the hype of the event lead to a number of nasty incidents between the two teams. Golf may be the ultimate gentleman's game but that has not stopped its participants from acting like babies when things aren't going their way.

While the event may yet descend into a jingoistic battle between Europe and the US, pre-tournament hostilities have been kicked off by a player who won't even be in Kildare when the two golfing tribes go to war. Danish golfer Thomas Bjorn has been the first to throw his rattle out of the pram, claiming that Ian Woosnam, this year's European captain, has been "the worst ever" to captain to the European side.

Bjorn's outburst, later withdrawn, was undoubtedly motivated by the fact that Woosnam had left him out of the Ryder Cup team. However, his criticisms . . . coupled with former Ryder Cup captain Bernhard Langer questioning why Woosnam had not sought his advice . . . have caused upset in the European camp with just a week to go before the tournament.

Woosnam, or 'Woosie' as he is often called, was far from a surprise choice as captain of the European side. Since turning professional in 1976, the 5 foot 4 inch golfer has proven himself as one of the greats of the modern era, winning virtually ever trophy available, including both the Masters and USPGA in 1991.

Born in the town of Oswestry in England in March 1958, Ian Harold Woosnam grew up with his family across the border in Wales in the village of Llanymynech. So close was his home village to the English border that the golf course on which Woosnam learned his trade was partly in Wales and partly in England.

Golf was his passion from a young age; while still in his late teens, he played as an amateur in competitions in Shropshire alongside Sandy Lyle, who would later be one of his great rivals. Indeed, Woosnam had the fortune . . . or misfortune, depending on how you view it . . . to be born in the same 12 month period as four other titans of European golf. Alongside Seve Ballesteros, Nick Faldo, Bernhard Langer and Sandy Lyle, he would form one-fifth of the 'Big Five' European golfers, who were all born in late 1957 or early 1958.

Having turned professional in 1976, Woosnam's first European Tour came three years later. It was not until the early 1980s, however, that his career began to take off and in 1982 he won the Swiss Open, a victory that established him as one of golf 's big names.

The year 1991 was to be Woosnam's crowning moment, however.

He reached the top of the Official World Gold Rankings, spending a total of 50 weeks as the World Number 1, and also emulated his British rivals Sandy Lyle and Nick Faldo by winning the US Masters, becoming the first Welsh person to do so. An OBE duly followed two years later.

Woosnam is described by those within golfing circles as being far from the stereotypical golfer, and far more of a regular Joe than some of his contemporaries. He is respected but also has a reputation as someone who will tell people exactly what he thinks.

"He's more of a soccer manager than a golf manager, " said one golf source. "He's more likely to be shouting at the players than is to be quietly encouraging them."

One Irishman to feel Woosie's vengeance was Bray-born Myles Byrne, who acted as his caddy during the 2001 British Open. Under the rulebook, golfers are allowed just 14 clubs in their bags while playing. However, a miscount meant that Woosnam had 15. He was deducted two shots, costing him the Open and costing Byrne his job.

His popularity among his fellow players has been aided by his fondness for a tipple. Indeed, Woosie has been very woozy on occasions and has wound up on the wrong side of the law . . . he was twice arrested on suspicion of drink-related offences, including one occasion in which he drove his car into a field.

On the course, however, eight consecutive Ryder Cup team appearances have cemented Woosnam's place as a seasoned Ryder Cup campaigner and so it came as little surprise when he was selected to captain the European team this year at the K Club. However, while he has always been a popular player among his own age group, questions have been raised as to how in touch he is with the younger European players.

In the PR battle being waged in the weeks leading up to the tournament, the US team have proven more successful than their European counterparts. The Americans have already conducted a bonding session at the K Club, while some of the European players appear not to have even talked to each other for several months.

Thomas Bjorn described Woosnam's captaincy skills as "pathetic" and expressed his disgust at the fact that Woosnam had told him of his decision not to bring him to the Ryder Cup during a twenty-second conversation in a pub.

The approach seemed a far cry from that of US captain Tom Lehman, who told journalists that he has been in constant contact with his players and had had lengthy conversations with all players who didn't make the team.

Also having conversations with Lehman has been former European captain Bernhard Langer. Despite being friends with Woosnam, the former European captain has not been approached by the European team for advice. Asked whether he was surprised at this, Langer responded, "Maybe a little. Ian should have been asking my advice, but we haven't talked. If that's how Woosie wants to do it, that's fine."

All of this has been far from ideal preparation for Woosnam as he faces into his first Ryder Cup as European captain. The Americans are entering the tournament united and confident, while the cohesion of the Europeans has been temporarily rocked.

Woosie now has less than a week to bring his team together and prepare them for battle against the Americans.

Apparently half a billion people are holding their breath. Which is perhaps what Thomas Bjorn should have done in the first place.

C.V.
Ian Woosnam
Age: 48
Occupation: Golfer
Married: to Glen
Children: Daniel (21), Rebecca (18), Ami (14)
In the news: Has been strongly criticised in the run-up to the Ryder Cup, in which he is captaining the European side