Ready, Set, Oh, No!
Another openingday, another hole for the Americans, who for the fifth consecutive Ryder Cupfound themselves playing from behind after the first two sessions--and it couldhave been worse, considering that the U.S. won only one of the eight matches.The first sign that the Americans might once again be headed for the (Oakland)hills occurred during the first match on the 1st tee, when the world's bestplayer, Tiger Woods, yanked his drive--with a three-wood!--into a waterhazard.
Here We GoAgain
Right off the bat, the U.S. finds itself playing catch-up
I thought it would be better to keep me mouth shut."
GOATS &HEROES
GOATS
??? Whoever was responsible for the Europeans' pointy caps.
ColinMontgomerie, who hit into the water twice on the par-5 16th, winning neithermatch.
Ivor Robson, whosaid, "Welcome to foursomes" before four-ball.
HEROES
Ian Woosnam, who seemed incapable of making a bad move.
Montgomerie, whosank a pressure-packed six-footer on the last hole to steal a halve.
Darren Clarke,who earned a point in his first match and emerged as the Euro's emotionalcenter.
TIGER TRACKER
What kind of cat was he today?
PUSSYCAT
ALLEY CAT
MAN-EATER
PUSSYCAT
NBC analyst Johnny Miller called it. Before the slaughter had even started hesaid that after winning five consecutive PGA Tour events, including two majors,Woods might be out of gas for the Ryder Cup. Although he went 1-1 on the day,tired is exactly how Tiger looked.
KEY STAT
7 of 8 Matches that went to the 18th hole. Infour-ball, no team was more than 2 up on 66 of the 72 holes.
PHOTO
ROBERT BECK (CLARKE)
IRISH AYES After a hero's welcome, Clarke (above) made three birdies and a winning putt in his match.
THREE PHOTOS
PAT DOYLE/CORBIS (PUSSYCAT); CORBIS (ALLEY CAT); DORLING KINDERSLEY/GETTY IMAGES (TIGER)
SEVEN PHOTOS
ROBERT BECK (JORDAN, HARRINGTON, WOOSNAM, ROBSON); SIMON BRUTY (DONALD); WARREN LITTLE/GETTY IMAGES (18TH HOLE); ROSS KINNAIRD/GETTY IMAGES (KARLSSON)