Wales seem certain to have landed the 2010 Ryder Cup. The determination of Terry Matthews, owner of Celtic Manor, is expected to be rewarded in an announcement by the European Ryder Cup board at Wentworth this afternoon.

The decision, if confirmed, will come as a severe blow to Scotland, who were favourites from the outset, especially with such leading venues at Gleneagles, Turnberry, Carnoustie and Loch Lomond bidding for the biennial showpiece.

But they are to be compensated in a remarkable, compromise deal.

I understand that Scotland have been promised the 2014 event, which would be the following staging on this side of the Atlantic.

If this comes to pass, there is certain to be an outcry from Continental countries, notably Germany and Sweden, which would have expected to have earned the Ryder Cup by then.

Today's decision was to have coincided with this year's event, just as the announcement of Ireland of the venue for 2005 - since changed to 2006 - was made during the 1997 matches at Valderrama.

And the Ryder Cup committee have decided to maintain the arrangement, despite the postponement caused by the terrorist horrors of September 11th in the US.

With Gleneagles as their flagship, and an attractive deal whereby every Scots child born between 2000 and the staging of the event would be guaranteed exposure to golf, Scotland had reason to feel confident about their prospects. Indeed, I understand that when everything is taken into account their bid is valued at £79 million sterling.

But the Welsh bid is even more valuable. Apart from the determination of Matthews, who is a Canadian-based billionaire - "I will do whatever it takes to bring the Ryder Cup to Celtic Manor" - it is understood that the Welsh offer will be augmented by substantial EU Sector One funding. And significantly, these would not be available beyond 2010.