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McDowell breaks Twitter 'ban'

Newport - -European Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie's crackdown on players using social networking sites during the tournament failed to make an immediate impact on Graeme McDowell.

Montgomerie and US skipper Corey Pavin revealed Monday they have both told players taking part in the 38th Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor not to use Facebook or Twitter and to focus on golfing matters instead.

But US Open champion McDowell told his Twitter 'followers': "We have a team meeting at 18:00 (17:00GMT), so will keep you posted on the tweeting ban.

"Let's hope not!!!! Go Europe!!!!," the Northern Irishman added.

Earlier, Montgomerie revealed cricketer Kevin Pietersen's Twitter rant was behind a decision to forbid Europe's players from using social networking sites.

Pietersen was fined earlier this month after using Twitter to fume about his omission from England's limited over squads.

"Kevin Pietersen's error changed my view as to that, yes," Montgomerie revealed, insisting he had not "banned" players from using Twitter.

"I've just asked my team not to, and they have said, okay, that's fine, we'll start Tweetering or Twittering, on Monday, October 4," he said.

While Europe star Ian Poulter recently engaged in a war of words with US golf commentator Johnny Miller, Montgomerie said his edict was not directed at any particular member of his team.

"Not mentioning any names. I don't know who Tweets or who doesn't Tweet on our team. So I can't tell you," Montgomerie said. "The captain doesn't, and whoever does, has been asked not to."

Pavin said earlier the American players had discussed the issue and decided to impose a ban on Twitter use during the event.

"We've talked about it," said Pavin. "The team has come to a consensus not to do that. It can be a little bit distracting some times. I think it's important to focus on the Ryder Cup and playing the matches.

"We've decided as a whole to not Tweet this week, but first thing a week from today I am sure Tweeting will be all over the place!"

As well as Pietersen, several high-profile athletes have recently fallen foul of authorities by posting comments on Twitter.

Australian swimming star Stephanie Rice was censured after she posted a homophobic slur on her Twitter page earlier this month following Australia's defeat of South Africa in the Tri Nations rugby series.

The Ryder Cup starts on Friday.

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