DL3 and Ollie announce pairings in the Pomp and Circumstance

It’s about time. Balls will finally be in the air in about 13 hours when the foursomes get underway with the first match starting at 7:20am. I might stand up in the middle of the press room and perform a cheer. Or not. But wow, now I know what all the veteran scribes were warning me about. The lead-up to the Ryder Cup is a somewhat tedious, drawn-out event. I’m guessing you’re all just as excited for the talk to stop and the golf to commence. (continue reading…)

Best dressed American couple at the RC Gala: Jason anad Amanda Dufner

Covering the Ryder Cup Gala was probably the most fun I’ve had in a long time (working-wise). It was quite the spectacle, but a nice change of pace. I live-tweeted and ‘grammed the festivities, so I recommend going through my timelines, along with Alan Shipnuck’s Twitter. I missed the first hour or so of the Gala, including the introduction hosted by Chicago sports legends Scottie Pippen and Ernie Banks, and Blues Brothers cover band.

I arrived just as Jean Van de Velde strolled down the red carpet. Perfect timing. (continue reading…)

The crowds came out in hordes to watch the Ryder Cup team practice rounds on Wednesday. There was so many people that it was almost scary (but this is a good thing, of course). I can’t imagine what it’ll be like when the matches actually start on Friday, no less the singles on Sunday! Can anyone say bedlam? (continue reading…)

Baying mob: these children were later ejected for yelling obscenities at Nicolas Colsaerts.

Trading on the questionable reputation of American golf fans abroad — harsh, I know — and European bemusement at the shouting of ironic catchphrases on PGA Tour teeboxes, British bookmaker Betfair has formulated a unique Ryder Cup promotion. (continue reading…)

Scarlet fever: the US team struts its stuff in practice.

Keegan has gone for full colour coordination here — notice the red-trimmed shoes. That’s admirable attention to detail, and it marks him out as a team player. Plus, the Ivy League dandy look is very on trend.

Furthermore: (possibly NSFW)

Conor Nagle

Tangerine dream: Kaymer in action during yesterday's practice session.

There was a time not so long ago — late 2010, early 2011 — when Martin Kaymer was, by a considerable margin, the most potent force in tournament golf. (continue reading…)

Team photo time: this one says it all!

Unlike the Tiger Woods of old, where he didn’t appear to mesh with his team (because of the whole intimidation thing), the new, friendlier version of the 14-time major champ set an entirely different tone on Tuesday at Medinah Country Club for the 2012 Ryder Cup. Woods, who is 13-14-2 in the biennial matches, showed humility and grace, and in fact, took blame for the U.S. losing to Europe in the last six of eight matches. (continue reading…)

Arrrrh! Feherty in traditional Irish dress.

To be fair, this became a fait accompli the second he embraced the goatee, but news is news, I guess:

Fielding questions during a pre-tournament conference call today, commentator and pundit David Feherty confirmed he’ll be supporting Davis Love’s men at Medinah this week; this despite, of course, his having served the European cause at Kiawah Island in 1991. (continue reading…)

U-S-A! U-S-A!

While your brains are still limber from last week’s FedEx Cup workout, I thought I’d post another selection of probabilities and forecasts, this time courtesy of an overseas-based bookmaker Bovada. (continue reading…)

Thinking of you: European team bags bearing an unmistakable silhouette.

In deference to the formidable competitive spirit of his close friend and Ryder Cup comrade, Seve Ballesteros, who passed away in May of last year, European team captain José Maria Olazabal has made space for at least two low-key tributes to the five-time major champion during this week’s festivities. (continue reading…)