dornoch

Campbell/Cink vs. Rose/Poulter: US 1 UP Leonard/Mahan vs. Jimenez/McDowell: EU 1 UP Mickleson/Kim vs. Stenson/Wilson: US 2 & 1 Furyk/Perry vs. Harrington/Karlsson EU 2 & 1 My crystal ball has been foggy and I'm just making random guesses now. Azinger's pairings have produced, Faldo's hasn't. Azinger deserves kudos thus far. I would've made 2 tweaks: pair Stricker with Furyk and have Leonard/Mahan in the 4th slot. But Azinger has put them in a position with the lead, so who am I? Faldo's first day pairings weren't strange. Okay, Westwood is still recovering. But having Sergio sit at the same time as Westwood will either turn out to be genius or folly, with nothing in between. I think nobody is above sitting for 1 match when they aren't winning, but that was in the context of the American team. For the EURO's, they've dominated recent cups, and while Day 1 for them is cause for concern, shouldn't be panicking. Not having Darren Clarke around has probably hurt too. Azinger's management style so far is to be prepared, but let the player's just simply play. His pairings at first glance seem to be of the players choosing, rather than being driven by the stats. The only thing he might want to talk about is the general philosophy of how to approach hole #18. Overall, one couldn't have imagined such a good first day for the US. On the down side they left at least a half, if not a full point out on the course. A EURO charge is coming in the morning alternate shot. The US team has to stay in the moment. But as a US fan, one must be happy about the fact the US team has some cushion to go 3-4-1 and still finish the team matches with 9 points.

Not quite the halfway point of the 4-ball matches, but the inevitable EURO push back seems to be happening. If the score ends up 4 to 4, it's better than I expected, but back to another morning high wire act tomorrow for the US. The great 4-ball, combined total of 13 to 15 birdie match, or bogie-free back and forth alternate shot match is rare. Maybe we'll get one of those before the cup is over. The golden age architects felt that water hazards should be used sparingly. Generally they preferred allowing for recovery shots over forced carries. Valhalla in some ways is antithetical to that principal.

After the morning session, full credit goes to Azinger's pairings and keeping the US in the matches for the first time in a long time. That makes my earlier morning alternate shot prediction wrong. Match play is way unpredictable. The earliest Mr. Perry plays next is Day 2, 4-Ball. Even with an expected EURO charge this afternoon, the matches seems that it'll be competitive into Day 2 for once. No matter whom one is rooting for, perhaps we’re going to have an exciting competition for once. Yes!

It’s the halfway point of the morning session. For US squad, the situation is already dicey.

By 11:00, the final pairing should be at the 9th hole." No more pre-game talk. It's time and both teams get to let it fly. Hope it'll be a competitive Ryder Cup.

10) Quote of the day I wish could give Azinger, "I hate losing more than I love winning."-- Jimmy Connors Hall of Fame tennis player[/QUOTE]

My general observations about keys to the cup as opposed to the pro commentators: 1) Early lead, 2) Wind forecast 5 - 8 mph, 3) Crisp iron play, 4) 7 birdies just enough to win 4-ball, 5) Taking 1 less club can be effective tactic, 6) Plot order of play keeping holes 16-17-18 in mind, 7) Anybody can be benched, 8) Hope US fans polite to EUROS, 9. Fun is rare during heat of play, fun is for celebration after winning, 10) Quote of the day I wish could give Azinger, "I hate losing more than I love losing."-- Jimmy Connors Hall of Fame tennis player

Mickleson/Kim vs. Harrington/Karlsson EU 2 & 1 Mahan/Leonard vs. Casey/Stenson EU 2 & 1 Campbell/Cink vs. Poulter/Rose US 1 UP Furyk/Perry vs. Garcia/Westwood EU 2 & 1 Reason: For me, these pairings appear to be player requested pairings. I agree with that philosophy. But check the stats. Mahan/Leonard don't hit from the same places. Perry played like a tired player the last couple of months. Harrington won 2 majors and Karlsson is fresh from a win. My big concern is Furyk. His wife's back is hurting, that could weigh on his mind and play the entire cup. By 11:30, the last of the 4 pairs should be playing Hole #9. By that point, it'll be apparent whether the EURO's dominate once again or the US is actually going to make it a contest. I hope I'm wrong. But my crystal ball says EU 3 - US 1. The US will have to be grinding uphill the rest of the way. Match overall: Wishful thinking: US 14.5 - EU 13.5. Prediction: EU 15 - US 13.