Hurricane forces Singh to miss Irish event

Hurricane Jeanne has led to world No1 Vijay Singh pulling out of this week's American Express World Championship at Mount Juliet in County Kilkenny.

Following his fifth win in six starts on the US golf tour last weekend, Singh was first delayed on his journey back to Ponte Vedra Beach in Florida and then arrived home to discover that his house was without power or water.

The Fijian quickly made the decision to stay with his family rather than fly to Ireland. His next appearance should be the Dunhill Links Championships in Scotland next week, followed by the HSBC World Match Play at Wentworth.

The field this week involves 44 of the world's top 50 and includes all but Colin Montgomerie and Ian Poulter of the victorious European Ryder Cup team.

Meanwhile, former Open champion Sandy Lyle has thrown his hat into the ring for the captaincy of the next Cup team. Bernhard Langer is expected to step down after Europe's triumph at Oakland Hills and Montgomerie is tipped as a possible successor along with Thomas Bjorn.

But Lyle admits he would love to take on the role if he were asked. He said: "Thomas Bjorn is a possibility, although he is still playing serious golf at the moment.

"He would be a good captain and has helped out Langer as vice-captain. But my name could be in the 'tumbler' to be drawn out. It's down to the committee and what they want from their captain."