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Lee Westwood has moved to clarify the comments he made regarding the American crowds during the Ryder Cup.
"A lot of what I said in Valhalla during and after the Ryder Cup didn't come out quite as I intended and finished up sounding like sour grapes," said Westwood in a statement issued by his management company.
"So let me say right now that I applaud America's victory, Paul Azinger's captaincy in general and the vast majority of the watching public who witnessed a titanic struggle between two very good sides.
“I regret that I singled out a small minority of the crowd who had a go at me and my family during competition days because, far and away, the greater majority were impeccably behaved and got right behind their team - as did the excellent European supporters.
"My comments about the hecklers and Paul geeing up the crowd before the event were in no way intended to be an excuse or the words of an ungracious loser because the American team performed brilliantly and fully deserved to win.
"Paul turned out to be a very good captain and both his ideas and tactics were spot on, so it doesn't surprise me that there is a move to keep him in that position for the next match in Wales.
"I may not have been too thrilled with one or two things that happened in Valhalla, but I am taking absolutely nothing away from America's win.
"When you're beaten by a better side, you just have to admit it.
"Well done USA. See you in Celtic Manor."
While pressure is mounting on Paul Azinger to remain in charge for the competition in two year’s time, opposite number Nick Faldo appears to have ruled himself out of captaining the Europeans in 2010 at Celtic Manor.
The defeated skipper at Valhalla has been harshly criticised for his tactics during the matches.
“Who knows, a few bits along the way were quite tricky, but I doubt it," Faldo replied when asked if he would consider seeking the captaincy again.
“I believe it was a one-stop shot as they would say."
If Faldo does step down, Welshman Ian Woosnam, the man at the helm when Europe won at the K Club two years ago, will be hot favourite to get the job again although the European Tour won’t announce a decision until early in the new year.
Oliver Wilson played in only two matches on his Ryder Cup debut at the weekend, but the event was so emotional and so mentally draining that he has pulled out of this week’s Quinn Direct British Masters at The Belfry.
His decision leaves Westwood and Graeme McDowell as the only members of Faldo’s side in the £1.8million tournament. Westwood is defending champion.
"It’s a big decision because it’s my home tournament and I know quite a few people who were going to come and watch me," said Mansfield-born Wilson.
"But I’ve made a few mistakes this year playing when I wasn’t ready to play and I don’t think I can give it 100% this week.
"Yes it was only two matches I played, but they were 14-hour days and I’m still reliving it. The week was everything I thought it would be and more.
"I’m worn out, it’s been hard to switch off.”
McDowell has been paired with Paul McGinley for the first two rounds, the man who will be his partner for Ireland at the Mission Hills World Cup at the end of November. They are among the afternoon starters in a three-ball with Johan Edfors.
Rory McIlroy and Darren Clarke are also in the field.
McDowell, who made such an impression with his strong performances at Valhalla, still has realistic hopes of capturing the European Tour Order of Merit title.
He currently lies fifth but leader Padraig Harrington isn’t playing this week and will play probably only two more events this year.
