Well, that was hideous. Some quick-hit points:

Six wins in 28 matches is embarrassingly bad.

Casey was the MVP of the European team after Stewart Cink beat the crap out of Sergio on Sunday.

I would give Stewart Cink the American MVP nod even though Tiger outscored him. Woods needed to win Friday afternoon or Saturday morning. Cink picked up at least a half-point in four matches. That's pretty remarkable, not mediocre as I thought earlier.

The course is amazing and the final three holes are outstanding. Seventeen became one of my favorite holes in golf.

If you weren't loving what happened with Darren Clarke on Sunday, you are a scumbag.

I don't fault Lehman for much (didn't use Verplank properly), that was all on the players for failing to perform. Couple that with strong European play and you get slaughtered.

Mickelson was terrible. 0-4-1, you can't imagine worse. Pretty telling when Lehman put him out 10th when he needed studs early.

DiMarco wasn't much better. My college Film as Art professor always said Steven Seagal was the worst actor because Jean-Claude Van Damme got a dispensation for having an accent. DiMarco gets a dispensation because Lehman had to pull him from the Saturday foursomes.

There is going to be a lot of drinking on the European team because this was a better win than in 2004. Winning all five sessions was impressive.

One factor I'd look forward to changing for the American side is to play courses they are more familiar with than Europe. The other team plays all of their Ryder Cup courses on their schedule. We play major championship venues in the U.S. A lot of Europeans play the PGA Tour, but we have no home-field edge other than the crowd. Don't think these European sites don't help them.

Finally, get used to this because that European team will return at least nine guys in two years and Donald, Garcia, Casey, Stenson and Howell are all young.

Column on Tuesday.

Let me preface this by saying I don't think the U.S. is coming back, but this is not the worst Sunday draw for the Americans. I would have loaded up a little more in the very beginning if I was Lehman, but these are solid pairings for his guys. I only see two matches they don't have any real chance in, and I will get to them. The U.S. rookies got matches they could win, except one guy, and he was playing the best of the first-timers.

Haubs, who picked up three wins to my two in the foursomes, is three ahead in the total competition. Twelve points here as we duke it out for some Eckstreme Fries.

Here's Haubs' take:

"This US performance should once and for all quiet the critics as the big guns have been horsebleep while the rooks have acquitted themselves more than fine."

1.) Toms vs. Montgomerie
Me: Toms, 2 & 1 - Neither one has been stellar, but I thought Toms would get Monty at Oakland Hills. Monty has been good, but not Monty great.
Haubs: Toms, 2-up - Toms has been OK, playing with Wetterich and Phil have not helped his record.

2.) Cink vs. Garcia
Me: Garcia, 1-up - This will be closer than people think because Cink has been fairly solid although an 0-3-1 record is the very definition of mediocrity, although this week it makes you look like Bobby Jones on the U.S. I just can't see him knocking off Sergio although a stronger U.S. player could have.
Haubs: halved - Cink has done all that has been asked of a captain's pick, even if he has probably played too much.

3.) Furyk vs. Casey
Me: Furyk, 4 & 3 - Take all of the aces you want, I see the mild-mannered Furyk stepping on Casey's throat.
Haubs: Furyk, 1-up - Like most US stars, Furyk has been adequate at best. Hindsight may say that Lehman should have switched partners on Saturday.

4.) Woods vs. Karlsson
Me: Woods, 3 & 2 - Pretty decent rookie appearance, but Karlsson has a tough road. Woods still has not played a stud on Sunday in this thing. (Rocca, Coltart, Parnevik, Casey and now Karlsson.)
Haubs: He forgot to write this one, but I'll give him Karlsson. Nah, he takes Woods.

5.) Campbell vs. Donald
Me: Campbell, 3 & 2 - Campbell has quietly played well and I like Donald, but let's see him without Garcia.
Haubs: halved - Campbell should have played more, but US golf politics got in the way. Funny, it's not a rookie he should have played before.

6.) Henry vs. McGinley
Me: Henry, 2-up - Have not been impressed with McGinley this week and Henry has played well late in his matches.
Haubs: Henry, 2 & 1 - McGinley hasn't played well while Henry has indeed. I think the US rookies have benefited from being underdogs and behind in points when they got their chances. Less pressure.

It should be pointed out that this would be an ideal start for Lehman. Hang on, it gets worse.

7.) Johnson vs. Clarke
Me: Clarke 3 & 2 - This is the second match I just can't see the U.S. winning. Johnson availed himself nicely, but this is a tall order as Clarke was awesome on Saturday and he deserves this.
Haubs: Clarke 3 & 2 - Raise a pint to Clarke for his stellar play in difficult times. He deserves it, and cheers to Zach Johnson, who had probably the best 10 hole stretch in the Cup so far. (Nice stuff from Haubs. Want my job?)

8.) Taylor vs. Stenson
Me: Stenson, 2-up - Believe it or not, I think this and the first two matches are the most important. Taylor could win this match, but I think Stenson is a star in the making even if Taylor played solidly in his only match.
Haubs: Taylor, 2-up - Another US rookie who made a name during the event. US rookies have outplayed their European counterparts.

9.) Wetterich vs. Howell
Me: halved - Probably should like Howell here, but if Wetterich can calm down and play his game, this could be tighter than anyone believes.
Haubs: Howell, 3 & 2 - Looks like Wetterich might have been overwhelmed by this event. Can't blame him though, he wasn't supposed to win.

10.) Mickelson vs. Olazabal
Me: Olazabal, 1-up - Has not looked good since he spit the bit at the U.S. Open and has not looked good at the Ryder Cup since Phillip Price whooped him in 2002. This would clinch a full win for the Europeans and see you in four years as captain, Jose.
Haubs: Olazabal, 2-up - This may be the clincher and it would fit. Apparently Phil packed in the '06 season with the debacle on 18 of the US Open. Thanks for making the trip.

11.) DiMarco vs. Westwood
Me: DiMarco, 5 & 4 - You read that one right. Got a lot to prove.
Haubs: Westwood, 1-up - Tough trip for DiMarco, who probably will not miss playing with Mickelson. Westwood would be European MVP if not for Garcia.

12.) Verplank vs. Harrington
Me: Harrington, 1-up - This whole thing is strange. Harrington may have felt the playing at home pressure, but Verplank "verplexes" me. Why bring him to play him once in the team session and not even foursomes where he's an ideal fit?
Haubs: Verplank, 2-up - If miracles occur, Verplank will have a great shot at the disappointing Irishman.

Me: USA 6 1/2 - 5 1/2
Haubs: USA 7 1/2 - 4 1/2

Final
Me: EUR - 15 1/2
USA - 12 1/2
Haubs: EUR 14 1/2
USA 13 1/2

Before any of you American fans start thinking Brookline, let me give you two reasons why it won't happen:
1.) U.S. team is not as deep.
The American team in 1999 had durable veterans like Lehman, Sutton, Leonard, Pate, Duval (close to his prime) and Love picking up points that day. Not Taylor, Wetterich, Henry and Verplank. (I think some of those guys can win, don't get me wrong, just lack a little of the same confidence.)
2.) The European team is 500,000,000 times better.
There aren't three rookies waiting to be slaughtered this time around. Everyone played for Europe. In '99, seven Europeans played in all four team sessions. Three did this time. Their worst guy is probably McGinley and he is a three-time Ryder Cupper.

I think there can be a small comeback because I just don't think Europe has played all that great. Sergio, Casey, Olazabal, Clarke and Westwood have been really strong, but Monty hasn't, Harrington hasn't and either of their rookies could lose tomorrow.

No one has played well for the U.S. Woods and Furyk have two points, Johnson and Cink have 1 1/2. If they play to their ability, and Europe doesn't, it could happen.

I just don't think it will. I know it won't, but one can dream.

We both had two wins in the fourballs and I have a suggestion for Nick Faldo and assuming he gets the job, Paul Azinger, for the next Ryder Cup. Consult each other months in advance about the wardrobe. In the fourballs, both teams wore almost the same exact outfits and I was confused as to which team some guys were playing on. And I know these clowns.
Lehman had a lot of problems making his foursomes pairings. He had to get Vaughn Taylor out there and his two stud pairings, quite frankly, have stunk out loud. I like putting Mickelson with Toms and it would have been tough telling Tiger he wouldn't be playing with the guy he wanted.

Here's Haubs' analysis.

"I got up for this? Oh well. Can't believe he didn't change Tiger/Furyk."

1.) Mickelson/Toms vs. Garcia/Donald
Me: Garcia/Donald, 1-up - This is going to be a good match, but Garcia is just on another planet.
Haubs: Garcia/Donald, 3 & 2 - I guess you can't sit Mickelson (for Furyk here), but I don't think you wanted him against Garcia.

2.) Campbell/Taylor vs. Montgomerie/Westwood
Me: Montgomerie/Westwood, 2-up - This will be closer than people think because the U.S. has nothing to lose.
Haubs: halved - Talk about experience gap. Campbell played decent yesterday, Taylor will have to be his equal.

3.) Cink/Johnson vs. Casey/Howell
Me: Cink/Johnson, 3 & 2 - This is a really good American team. Trivia contest - which two Americans share the points lead? Cink and Johnson with 1 1/2 each. Yuck.
Haubs: Cink/Johnson, 3 & 2 - US' best team, Lehman rides his captain's pick and the surprising rookie. This is the US' best matchup.

4.) Woods/Furyk vs. Harrington/McGinley
Me: Woods/Furyk, 4 & 3 - Call me crazy, but Harrington has not been great this week. Neither has the U.S. side, but they have to get it together at some point, don't they? No, they don't.
Haubs: Woods/Furyk, 2 & 1 - If you sat Phil, played Furyk in the first match with Toms, Verplank would have been solid here. Tiger has been extremely disappointing. He can't lose three points can he?

Yup, he can.

Have to comment about the live Ryder Cup radio going on right now. I have no idea of the broadcasters names, except American John Maginnes, but these guys are having a ball.
They keep have people e-mailing them in saying they are on the space station right now. One guy is named Elmo and another scientist e-mailed in saying Elmo wasn't on the space station because he was.
According to the NASA website, which they've had to reference because they are completely consumed by this, the internet is available in space and there is no Elmo. The other scientist is supposedly an astronaut and they just received a picture of the shuttle's cabin. There might actually be a guy from space who is interested in the Ryder Cup right now. This is blowing my mind, but it could be sleep deprivation.
Some clown e-mailed in and said Elmo was on board and that someone was tickling him now.
At this point, I think I've forgotten about the fact that the U.S. is down in three matches. Another e-mailer wrote in and told them to stop talking about Tiger Woods because "he was a robot created by the U.S. army of which his father was a member."
This is wild.

Some general thoughts. Sergio Garcia should wear his Ryder Cup uniform during majors because he's a completely different player. So far, I don't see many mistakes from the captains. Lehman, who does look a little foolish for bringing Verplank and not playing him the first day, has just not gotten the production from his big teams. If they both don't win Saturday morning, I think they both get spilt.
As for the little contest, Haubs went 2-0 in the afternoon with the halves in matches one and three. Very nice work and that means I shall let him weigh in:

"On to Day 2, and the Americans can not afford to lose any ground. Unfortunately, the early pairings don't favor the US."

I agree.

1.) Cink/Henry vs. Casey/Karlsson

Me: Casey/Karlsson, 3 & 2 - Cink played okay in getting two halves on Friday, but I haven't seen anything remarkable. I would have kept Henry in the lineup in foursomes, but I think the magic runs out for J.J.
Haubs: halved - I would put Toms in for Cink here, but the rematch may play out like the first.

2.) Mickelson/DiMarco vs. Garcia/Olazabal
Me: Garcia/Olazabal, 4 & 3 - Sergio is clearly the best player at the K Club at the moment and this American team frightened me all week. Let's remember that these two stud American teams looked great at the Presidents Cup and have yet to look great here. Mickelson just is not playing well.
Haubs: Garcia/Olazabal, 2-up - Superman Sergio dispatches this team once and for all as this US team will not
be together in the p.m.

3.) Woods/Furyk vs. Westwood/Clarke
Me: Woods/Furyk, 2-up - Too much pride for the Americans as Woods and Furyk got pounded down the stretch by Garcia. The European team did not play great Friday morning.
Haubs: Woods/Furyk, 3 & 2 - If not now, not ever. Woods was highly erratic and needs to put it together
for any US hope.

4.) Verplank/Johnson vs. Harrington/Stenson
Me: Verplank/Johnson, 1-up - Harrington hasn't done much in his home Ryder Cup and this American team will be steadier than anything you've seen all week.
Haubs: halved - Lehman's out on a limb here, hoping these two steady players can make some
birdies. Didn't expect to see Johnson out in the AM. One putt can make a round I guess.

Me: EUR leads 7-5
Haubs: EUR leads 7-5

You all will be happy to know that Mr. Haub (his real last name is Haub), has volunteered to get up early with his son on Saturday in an act his wife will think is profoundly kind, but since the Ryder Cup is five hours away EST, this is self-serving.

I went 2-2 in the morning (We're not counting the score, but I had the first two matches including the incredibly gutsy halve in match two. Impressive by me.) Haubs went 2-2 as well with the Woods win and the Spaniards' victory.

Away we go in fourballs.

1. Campbell/Johnson vs. Harrington/McGinley

Me: Campbell/Johnson, 2 & 1 - I think this is a really solid American foursomes team. McGinley is struggling badly so I think the Americans beat the Irish boys in the country of green.
Haubs: halved - Americans need a boost and I think a win here might be asking too much. I think both Americans make their case for later matches. (I think Haubs is getting good at this.)

2. Cink/Toms vs. Stenson/Howell

Me: Cink/Toms, 3 & 2 - I don't like Cink being back out in the afternoon because I think Henry outplayed him in the morning, but this is a better team than Europe's.
Haubs: Stenson/Howell, 2 & 1 - Looks like Lehman thinks the rookies didn't help in the morning, but I don't know if it was all on Wetterich. (I once again agree with Haubs' analysis and one more good point, I write something embarrassing about him out of spite.)

3. Mickelson/DiMarco vs. Westwood/Montgomerie
Me: Westwood/Montgomerie, 4 & 3 - I just had a bad feeling about this American pairing because Mickelson is playing like a crap as indicated by his one-birdie effort in the morning. I don't think we see these guys tomorrow.
Haubs: halved - Phil and DiMarco had chances this morning, didn't get it done. Might be hoping for a US half here. if they lose, I'd look for them to be split up tomorrow.

4.) Woods/Furyk vs. Garcia/Donald
Me: Woods/Furyk, 1-up - This is going to be awesome as Tiger can't wait to get his hands on Garcia. Don't underestimate Donald being upset about being ninth in the world and sitting out the morning.
Haubs: Woods/Furyk, 3 & 2 - Tiger's been waiting for this one. Donald still has the PGA beating in his head playing this match.

End of the day:
Me: US 4 1/2 - 3 1/2
Haubs: EUR 4 1/2 - 3 1/2

Ryder Cup is about to begin, so let's get through some pre-tournament stuff -

1.) Sergio Garcia is an idiot. To trash-talk Tiger Woods in anything, no matter if his Ryder Cup record stinks, is absolutely foolish. Downright stupid.
2.) Hard to figure that the ninth, 11th and 13th ranked players in the world can't crack Europe's opening session. Luke Donald would have been more shocked if Woosie would have told him he was carrying his child.
3.) This picture and article thing is kind of silly, but can't argue with a guy going batty when fake nudie pictures of his wife are posted.

Anyway, we're going to try something for the Ryder Cup. I predict each match's outcome and do it versus a lay person, my friend, Haubs.

1. Woods/Furyk vs. Monty/Harrington
Me: Woods/Furyk, 3 & 2 - Woods and Furyk are both hot and Woods has all of the phony photo/Sergio thing adding fuel.
Haubs: Woods/Furyk, 2 & 1 - Americans have to have this match.

2. Cink/Henry vs. Casey/Karlsson
Me: halved - Crazy to pick a halve, but I don't have a good feel for this one. Would lean toward the Euros because Casey's playing a little better than Cink.
Haubs: Casey/Karlsson, 3 & 2 -I think this one has door job written all over it. Those unknown Europeans always whoop.

3. Toms/Wetterich vs. Garcia/Olazabal
Me: Toms/Wetterich, 1-up - I don't like this European pair. They reportedly don't get along that well and I think this is a brilliant American team. Toms is straight, Wetterich is long and he will be the sleeper for this squad.
Haubs: Garcia/Olazabal, 1-up - I thought Zach Johnson would be this player, but maybe Wetterich's length will help.

4. Mickelson/DiMarco vs. Clarke/Westwood
Me: Clarke/Westwood, 2 & 1 - I don't have faith in this U.S. team for some reason. Mickelson is not playing great, so I give this European team the nod.
Haubs: Mickelson/DiMarco, 2 & 1 - Nice story for Clarke, and I love the guy, but I think he might not play the afternoon match.

Me: U.S. 2 1/2 - 1 1/2
Haubs - tied 2-2

Thursday was not a good day for the United States Ryder Cup team.

Tiger Woods, the No. 1 player in the world riding an incredible hot streak, lost to Shaun Micheel in the first round of the HSBC Match Play Championship. I would have given Sean Connery a better shot, but it happened.

Then Jim Furyk, ranked second in the world, gets the ever-loving crap kicked out him by Robert Karlsson, who will be a rookie on the European team next week.

Factor in that Monty beat teammate David Howell in a close match, Paul Casey ate Retief Goosen for lunch and Luke Donald won, and Europe looks strong. Darren Clarke, Jose Maria Olazabal and Padraig Harrington are all under par in Spain and Americans are almost all over par at the 84 Lumber.

This is not good at all. Momentum is a huge thing when it comes to the Ryder Cup and I can't imagine Woods and Furyk will lose all of their mojo heading into next week, but this is not ideal for Tom Lehman.

Hello all as I haven't posted an update in a while. Tired boy I am as I'm up early to cover the European Ryder Cup team announcement.

Ian Woosnam will name Darren Clarke and Lee Westwood and both picks are not without controversy.

Clarke is logical under normal circumstances, but he has played very little competitive golf this season to be with his wife, Heather, who died last month. All I can say is if he's picked, he better be ready to play. I think he can certainly do it and the whole experience might be therapuetic, he just better be ready.

Westwood is sick as a dog this week, but Woosnam talked him into playing. If I had tonsillitis and the Ryder Cup captain asked me to play, I'd have walked away from that conversation with an invitation. Not a promise of a look, I'd need my travel itinerary in hand.

Both are fine picks, and truth be told, there's not much else to choose from. Miguel Angel Jimenez and Thomas Bjorn are solid veterans, but aren't in great form. Johan Edfors is an interesting name considering he'd be a rookie. It's not unheard of. Mark James picked Andrew Coltart in 1999 then elected not to play him until Sunday. My theory is that Coltart blackmailed James into free airfare to the States.