The competition between Europe and America's top golfers was due to take place at The Belfry at the end of September.

Instead, the European Ryder Cup Board confirmed it hoped to stage the tournament at the same venue, with the same team and captains, in 12 months time.

In a statement, the PGA of America said: "The scope of last Tuesday's tragedy is so overwhelming that it would be impossible for the United States Ryder Cup Team and officials to attend the matches this month.

"We have been placed in a position beyond our control and therefore the matches, out of necessity, have been postponed."

The biennial event has only been interrupted once since its inception, for six years during World War II - the 1937 matches at Southport and Ainslie were eventually followed by the 1947 matches at Portland Golf Club.

Michael Platts, a spokesman for the European Board, said: "The invitation for the United States team and officials to attend the 34th Ryder Cup matches has not been withdrawn but extended.

"We will now start the process of rescheduling the matches for 2002.

"It has been agreed that the matches will take place with the same captains, Sam Torrance (Europe) and Curtis Strange (United States), and the same 10 qualified players and the two wild cards as already nominated by the captains."