With the naming of Oakland Hills this week as the venue for the 2003 Ryder Cup, the way is now clear for an announcement from the European Tour regarding the venue for the Irish staging in 2005. But I understand that a decision is unlikely before next Easter.

It was always the contention of European Tour executive director, Ken Schofield, that the American situation would have to be finalised before a decision on the 2005 venue. As it happens, the PGA of America have gone further than anticipated by announcing two further Ryder Cup venues.

In 2007, the biennial showpiece will be staged at Valhalla GC in Louisville, Kentucky and four years later, in 2011, the Ryder Cup goes to Medinah. In the meantime, next year's event will be at the Country Club, Brookline on September 24th to 26th and the next European staging is scheduled for The Belfry on September 28th to 30th, 2001.

A particularly interesting aspect of the American decision is the manner in which the Ryder Cup has been tied in with the USPGA Championship. For instance, next year's USPGA goes to Medinah; the 2000 event is at Valhalla and it will be at Oakland Hills in 2008.

Brookline has been rewarded with the USPGA Championship of 2005 while no decision has been taken on the USPGA for 2003. It may be that the PGA of America are contemplating a return to Winged Foot, having had a successful staging there last year.