Mark James rode out the storm over his controversial book and received the backing of the European tour's tournament committee as Ryder Cup vice-captain Tuesday night.
After a three-hour meeting, the committee voted 10-0 in support of Ryder Cup captain Sam Torrance's choices as James and Ian Woosnam as vice-captains.
It was also decided that that James' controversial book 'Into the Bear Pit' was not relevant to his position as committee chairman and no vote was taken on whether he should remain.
James has been involved in a war of words with English golfing legend Nick Faldo over the book on his Ryder Cup captaincy last year.
In it he revealed that he had put a good luck message from Faldo to the team in a waste bin - and also cast doubts about Faldo's suitability to be a captain one day.
Despite the row and its overshadowing of recent tournaments, which has angered sponsors, James insists he has had no regrets about writing the book.
Faldo said after the vote, "I'm very disappointed in the tour. If they feel quite happy that their captain and chairman can slag off someone then okay.
"To be honest, I'm stunned. The bottom line is that you can write a book like that and it does not matter.
"Fine. When I write my book I will say what I like and apologize two months later."
James intends speaking to Faldo in the next two weeks to try to clear the air, but when asked what he expected from that and what sort of relationship he had with James, Faldo answered: "I've never really had a relationship with him.
"I don't know what I'll say to him. How does he know what sort of captain I'll be?
"I'm not interested in being captain until I'm 50. If he can change so can I."
Faldo added, "if this has not brought the game into disrepute why has this taken seven weeks to sort out? Surely they should have sat down straightaway and said that.
"It means I can say what I like. Release a book in December and have a free run - there's plenty to say."
Committee members Bernhard Langer and Jean Van de Velde, who have spoken out against James, were not present at the meeting, but according to James their views were expressed.
Torrance said he was pleased to have the full support of the committee.
He said: "Mark is going to have a chat with Nick and I hope that that will be the end of it."
James said he had no regrets and insisted that he had not, as had been claimed, betrayed anyone's trust.
"I don't regret writing the book. I think some of it is funny and there's a lot of good in it.
"And absolutely I have not betrayed any trusts. There's no question of that. All the players are acutely aware of the issues at stake."
James added: "I'm happy that Sam has had unanimous support in his choice. We all want to put this matter to bed. Some mud has been slung and we need to move on,” – (AFP)
© 2000 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
