Casey sacks caddie for Ryder Cup

"Ken is a fantastic caddie and he'll carry bags for tournament winners in the future but the spark had gone between us. Ken is upset about it and I'm sad he's not here but it was a decision based on me winning as many points as I can in the Ryder Cup."

Today, Casey teamed up with a new diminutive caddie, Glaswegian Craig Connolly, who was surprised by his call-up.

Meanwhile the United States team are set to follow the lead of American Olympic athletes by toning down their celebrations during the match against Europe.

US competitors in Athens were ordered to avoid extravagant demonstrations of triumph so as not to inflame anti-American feelings caused by ongoing hostilities in Iraq and Afghanistan. In the case of the Ryder Cup, which gets under way at the Oakland Hills course in Michigan on Friday, US captain Hal Sutton is desperate to avoid a repeat of the outrageous behaviour by American players and fans that marred the match at Brookline, near Boston, in 1999.

That was the last occasion one of sport's most keenly contested team competitions was held on American soil. This time Sutton wants his players to take the lead and set a good example.

In welcoming the European team, who landed in Detroit last night, Sutton said: "All we want to do is put our best foot forward, play the best we can, tip our hats and thank everybody for the game regardless of the outcome. I will continue to drive that message home."

Bernhard Langer, captain of Cup holders Europe, said: "We are dedicated to uphold the true spirit and tradition of the Ryder Cup. Both us feel if spectators followed the lead of the players it would be tremendous."

In another attempt to encourage decent behaviour, a special guide issued to spectators carries a joint plea from Sutton and Langer for fans to observe traditional golfing etiquette.