With only four months to go to the showdown between Europe and America the US Ryder Cup captain Curtis Strange is at The Belfry this week on a fact-finding mission.

Both Strange and Europe's captain Sam Torrance reiterated their hope that this year's match will have none of the green-storming and ugliness of Brookline.

Strange commented: "Responsibility for the way the teams approach the match and conduct themselves starts with Sam and I, then filters through the players and down to the public.

"I expect this to be a great match and a great week."

Asked about the presence of an "edge" between the teams in recent matches he added: "I think it's more because all the players know they are playing for their flag. That's enough to get the emotions stirred."

Torrance, vice-captain to Mark James last time and criticised by American captain Ben Crenshaw for a comment he made about Tom Lehman, stated: "I don't think we will have to say anything to the players about what happened then.

"That's gone and forgotten. Let's get on with this one.

"Curtis and I spoke about it for about 10 seconds at the start of our first meeting. Then that subject was done and dusted and out of the way."

Since that meeting, Torrance has been seeking advice about captaincy and motivation from the likes of predecessors James, Seve Ballesteros and Tony Jacklin - and also Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson.

"I would ask Donald Duck if I thought he could help me," said Torrance.