Henry McLeish: Led Scotland's bid

Tory sports spokesman Brian Monteith said: "It would appear that the European Tour has all along decided it wanted the Welsh bid to succeed and that it may have even have had a vested interest in that bid succeeding.

"If that is the case I think we have to ask why was the bidding process held at all and is there any legal opportunity to sue?"

Turnberry, Carnoustie, Gleneagles and Loch Lomond in Scotland had bid for the tournament.

Mr Monteith said there was no doubt the courses in Scotland were good enough.

He added: "It appears that the European Tour has a financial interest of �12m in redesigning the Welsh course.

Vested interests

"We were not giving �12m to redesign courses that are already the best in the world."

The Scottish National Party labelled the tour's move as "disgraceful" and an example of "vested interests" at work.

SNP MSP Mike Russell called for an inquiry should Scotland fail to stage the tournament.

He said: "The whole of Scotland will be deeply disappointed if we have lost out in the bid to host the 2010 Ryder Cup.

"This was a key plank in the government strategy for tourism and sport. The whole of Scotland wanted this to succeed, particularly given the growing difficulties in the tourism market.

It appears that the European Tour has a financial interest of �12m in redesigning the Welsh course.

Tory MSP Brian Monteith

"This represents a major blow to our future prospects."

First Minister Henry McLeish led Scotland's bid to host the tournament, originally to be played in 2009, and the presentation to the Ryder Cup committee in May at Stirling Castle.

The tour had threatened to withdraw the players from the Ryder Cup team if Scotland won.

It is understood that Scotland could be awarded the tournament in 2014.

In May, Mr McLeish said the event could bring �200m worth of investment into Scotland if the bid was successful.

Terrorist attacks

This year's Ryder Cup was postponed following the terrorist attacks in America.

It will now be played at The Belfry near Birmingham between 27-29 September 2002.

As a result future Ryder Cups were put back one year.

The competition will now be played in even years: Oakland Hills Country Club, Michigan in 2004; The K Club, Ireland in 2006 and Valhalla Golf Club, Kentucky two years later.

Despite being internationally renowned as the home of golf and a frequent host of major tournaments, including the Open championship, Scotland has not been awarded a Ryder Cup since the event was held at Muirfield in 1973.