It was never really in question after day one. The Americans led the Ryder Cup competition wire to wire, something they haven’t been able to do in more than a decade…and here they were without the number one player in the world, Tiger Woods. After the individual match play yesterday, Team USA prevailed 16 1/2 to 11 1/2.
It wasn’t that the European team played badly. They didn’t. The Americans just played better and with more heart, especially the younger and older members of the team. Particularly noteworthy was Kenny Perry’s performance. Born and raised just miles away from Valhalla …read more

The third and final day of the Ryder Cup competition begins today around noon at Louisville’s Vahalla Golf Club. The US team is ahead by two points, but anything can happen with the one-on-one matches. Today’s pairings and tee-off times are as follows:

1203pm – Anthony Kim (US) vs. Sergio Garcia (Europe)
1214pm – Hunter Mahan (US) vs. Paul Casey (Europe)
1225pm – Justin Leonard (US) vs. Robert Karlsson (Europe)
1236pm – Phil Mickelson (US) vs. Justin Rose (Europe)
1247pm – Kenny Perry (US) vs. Henrik Stenson (Europe)
1258pm – Boo Weekley (pictured above celebrating yesterday) (US) vs. Oliver Wilson (Europe)
109pm – J.B. Holmes (pictured at …read more

The Americans lost a point during day two at the Ryder Cup, but they still lead the Europeans by two points going into the single match play on day three. The second day action was exciting, with plenty of long puts and plenty of emotion on both sides. Below are the day two highlights:

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All eyes are on Louisville and the Ryder Cup this weekend. The only other golf event is the Nationwide Tour’s Oregon Classic and it’s not being televised. The Ryder Cup action may be seen as follows:(all times are EDT).
Saturday, September 209am – 6pm on NBC
Sunday, September 21Midnight – 1am – ESPN2Noon – 6pm – NBC6pm – 7pm – ESPN News (closing ceremonies)

The Ryder Cup finally begins tomorrow morning and the team captains, Nick Faldo for Team Europe and Paul Azinger for Team USA, announced the first day match-ups today. The first contest is an alternate shot format. The pairings are:

Phil Mickelson/Anthony Kim vs. Padraig Harrington/ Robert Karlsson
Justin Leonard/Hunter Mahan vs. Henrik Stenson/Paul Casey
Stewart Cink/Chad Campbell vs. Justin Rose/Ian Poulter
Kenny Perry/Jim Furyk vs. Lee Westwood/Sergio Garcia.
The action will be televised on ESPN beginning at 8am.
(photo © Newscom)

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With the Ryder Cup competition set to begin next week, two Ryder Cup Team members–one on each team–are still questionable as to whether they will be healthy enough to participate. Europe’s Lee Westwood (pictured above) is still struggling with a bout of tonsillitis he contracted about ten days ago. He was forced to miss the European Masters last week due to the illness. Should he be unable to play, it’s likely that captain Nick Faldo would choose German Martin Kaymer as his replacement.
Also struggling is American Kenny Perry, who was forced to drop out of …read more

The golf world is gearing up for the Ryder Cup, to be held at the Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky from September 16 to 21 (2008). A few facts about the course:

Valhalla’s golf course was designed by Jack Nicklaus; it opened in 1986.
It is a Par 71, 7496 yard course.
The course’s signature hole is #13 with features an approach over water to an island green.
The 16th hole to accommodate amphitheater-style seating for spectators.
For more about the 2008 Ryder Cup, see:

US Finalizes its Ryder Cup Team
Team Europe Picks its Final Ryder Cup Members
How the US Ryder Cup Team is …read more

The Ryder Cup players are also decided upon. Team USA Captain, Paul Azinger added Steve Stricker, JB Holmes, Hunter Mahan, and Chad Campbell as his picks to round out the roster. They will join automatic qualifiers, Phil Mickelson, Stewart Cink, Kenny Perry, Jim Furyk, Anthony Kim, Justin Leonard, Ben Curtis, and Boo Weekley.The Ryder Cup competition begins next week at Kentucky’s Vahalla Country Club. For more about the 2008 Ryder Cup, see:

European Ryder Cup Team Complete
How the US Ryder Cup Team is Chosen

Oliver Wilson finished 10th in the European Tour’s Johnnie Walker Classic this weekend clinching an automatic place on Europe’s Ryder Cup team. Joining him are captain Nick Faldo’s two picks–Ian Poulter and Paul Casey. Notably missing this year is Colin Montgomerie, a Ryder Cup veteran who’s having a challenging season.
Rounding out Team Europe are Padraig Harrington, Sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood, Henrik Stenson, Robert Karlsson, Miguel Angel Jimenez,
Graeme McDowell, Justin Rose, and Soren Hansen.
Team USA captain, Paul Azinger will make his two picks on Monday to finalize his team.

Eight of the 12 Ryder Cup team members have earned a spot, following the PGA Championship that concluded last weekend. They are: