Zinger ready to play the game.

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WHETHER it's pulling shirts on a football pitch, nipping your opponent in a rugby scrum or sledging in the middle of the cricket field, gamesmanship is part and parcel of sport.And with a thrilling weekend of Ryder Cup action upon us, both teams are sure to be plotting ways of getting one over each other in golf's hotly-contested showdown between USA and Europe.The Americans, underdogs for the clash at Valhalla, Kentucky, will be pulling out all the stops to try and regain the Cup they have not held since losing it in 2002.

And while stopping short of admitting his team, and Europe, will be getting their 'leather wedges' out and kicking their opponents' balls into bunkers and behind trees, US team captain Paul Azinger admitted the dirty tricks side of golf is "alive and well", and he's ready for it.

Azinger famously labelled European legend Seve Ballesteros "the king of gamesmanship" back in 1991 at Kiwah Island.

Ballesteros was known for developing an annoying cough during matches, and also for winding up opponents by standing in their vision as they putted.The United States were guilty of it at Brookline in 1999 when their players ran all over the 17th green after Justin Leonard had holed a long putt in his match with Jose Maria Olazabal, despite the Spaniard still having to putt.We've all done it. Whether it's standing behind your opponent when he's putting or dropping in a little "watch out for that pond on the left" as he gets ready to tee off, gamesmanship is alive at all levels of golf.It could well be a bone of contention this weekend, especially as other sports are looking to clean up their act - football in the UK has recently launched a "Respect" campaign towards officials.But some feel it is part of the Ryder Cup, and helps to make the event what it is.Former US Ryder Cup player Larry Nelson once joked: "When it doesn't happen in the Ryder Cup matches you almost feel cheated."And while stopping short of naming names and their underhand tactics on the course, Azinger admits gamesmanship will have a part to play at Valhalla."You don't always see it. It can be a spoken word or early walking in the middle of a backswing," he said."I could mention things, but I don't want to start an international incident."I didn't do it because I never wanted to give anybody more reason to beat me."But that won't stop his players from adopting it.And one European player who is sure to try it on a bit is Ian Poulter.Prior to his debut at Oakland Hills in 2004, Poulter said: "I'm into more subtle things. I wouldn't want to step over the line, but I definitely plan to get under their skin."Now he is back for more after being given a wild card.Like it loath it, gamesmanship will play a part at Valhalla.Let the games begin.

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