Ryder Cup Diary

With the sun yet to rise on Valhalla on Day 2 of the 2008 Ryder Cup, here is a selection of press analysis on the exciting happenings of Day 1 and some thoughts on what is to come on Day 2

• The Louisville Courier-Journal accurately captures the essence of Day 1 with their Pumped-up jump start headline.

Referring to the intensity of the crowd, Kim said: “It feels like I’m playing for the Lakers, and it’s the championship against the Celtics. It’s amazing. It’s a dream come true to be out here, and the fans in Kentucky are tremendous. This was a great day.”

• Despite sinking some heroic putts, Europe’s #1 player Padraig Harrington only managed to return a half-point from his two outings. The Irish Independent focuses on how things didn’t work out on the 18th green.

The script and recent history insisted Harrington’s putt must drop, giving European fans in the massive 40,000- strong gallery the opportunity to cheer one of the Ryder Cup’s greatest escapes … yet golf balls don’t follow any script. They merely go where they’re hit and Harrington’s Titleist rolled a good three feet past the hole on the high side.

• One of the heroes of Day 1 was Boooooo Weekley. As the afternoon progressed, every single movement that Boo made was greeted by huge roars of “Booooooooooo!!” from his adoring fans. At times, Boo resembled an orchestral conductor as he waved encouragement to the crowd. This apparently didn’t go down too well with some of the Europeans, as reported by the New York Post.

“You walk a fine line when you start doing that sort of thing – between using the crowd to your advantage when you’re at home, which you do by playing good golf, which they were doing – and going over the line where you take it too far,” Westwood said.

• The Telegraph ponders the surprise absence of Westwood and Garcia from the Saturday foursomes. Only time will tell if this gamble by Nick Faldo is inspired or merely an act of desperation. Azinger’s reaction reveals a lot.

Opposite number Paul Azinger was in the middle of a press conference when he was handed the pairings and could not hide a smile, although he was diplomatic when asked about the duo’s omission.

And so, a foursome session that looked at one stage like a one-sided victory for the Europeans turned dramatically into a 3-1 win for the US team. And the reality is that it should have been at least another half a point for the US team as Jim Furyk and Kenny Perry contrived to throw away a 2-up lead with two to play.

For the record, the results of the morning foursomes were as follows:

Mickelson/Kim vs Harrington/Karlsson – match halved

Leonard/Mahan bt Casey/Stenson 3&2

Campbell/Cink bt Rose/Poulter by one hole

Perry/Furyk vs Garcia/Westwood – match halved

The fourball matches began while the final foursome game was still finishing. The action and drama seems to come in unrelenting waves at the Ryder Cup!

An all-Irish pairing of Harrington & McDowell are leading off against Kim & Mickelson and have started really well, leading by two holes after eight. Despite their disappointing finish this morning, Poulter & Rose are back in action against two fresh players Stricker & Curtis – all square after five. Garcia & Jiminez are already two holes down against Leonard/Mahan, who have started the fourball as they finished the foursomes. The home crowd are loving the final pairing of Weekley & Holmes as they battle with Westwood & Hansen.

Oliver Wilson is the proverbial odd man out as he’s alone amongst the 24 players in Valhalla not to have played on the opening day. GIven Europe’s harshly learned lesson of not playing three rookies until the singles back in ‘99, it’s likely that Faldo will give a chance to Wilson on Saturday.

All four foursome matches are now on the course. The first hole has been very successful for the Europeans with three of their pairings going 1up. Overall, it’s been a disappointing start from the American team although they have begun to make some good putts to win back some holes. 

The lead pairing of Mickelson and Kim have really begun to find their game. Having lost the first hole, they were gifted a hole on the third when Harrington hit straight into the hazard on the right of the green, from which Karlsson couldn’t wrestle the ball free. This looks like being an epic contest and could well have a significant impact on the outcome of the overall competition.

Leonard & Mahan had a miserable start losing the first two holes to par but have settled down to win the next two holes with birdies.

The English pair of Poulter & Rose have taken the lead with a birdie at the 3rd, having halved the first two holes. 

Europe’s final pair, Westwood & Garcia, have started very well but just barely missed a birdie putt on the 2nd. Local fave, Kenny Perry, sank a monster putt on the 3rd to the delight of the home crowd.

A lot happening all at once. Both teams winning holes but Europe have a slight edge. For now.

To competing chants of “USA! USA! USA!” and “Ole, ole, ole!” from a raucous crowd at the 1st tee, the 37th Ryder Cup matches have begun.

The honour of hitting the first shot fell to double-major winner, Padraig Harrington. He hit a magnificent drive, putting the ball in the perfect position for his partner, Robert Karlsson, to attack the green. Phil Mickelson faced the onerous task of matching Harrington’s perfect drive and he rose to the occasion, hitting the ball a good 30 yds past where the European ball lay. What a start!

However, the European had the last laugh (at the first hole!) when Karlsson hit a superb iron shot to 10ft allowing Harrington to sink the putt. Kim’s approach shot gave Mickelson a 30ft challenge, which he couldn’t meet. First blood to the Europeans.

Following a long and sometimes painful opening ceremony, the pairings for Friday morning have been announced.

1. Mickelson/Kim vs Harrington/Karlsson

2. Leonard/Mahan vs Casey/Stenson

3. Campbell/Cink vs Rose/Poulter

4. Perry/Furyk vs Garcia/Westwood

The players on the US team who will sit out the first session are Holmes, Stricker, Weekley & Curtis. For Europe, Jimenez, McDowell, Hansen & Wilson will watch from the sidelines.