The Ryder Cup Rogers- September 24, 2006 K CLUB So much has happened here in the last two hours that I almost dont know where to start. What I do know is that the much-maligned Weston Aerodrome car park is scheduled to close in an hour and a half so I better get on with it. Perhaps the biggest revelation of the last two hours is that the rumours were true Guinness really is free in the press tent. Can you imagine how rude about the opening ceremony I would have been if I had known that earlier Anyway, back in July at Hoylake, Rob..http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/rydercup/2006/09/post_13.shtml Gags, grins and golfers- September 24, 2006 K CLUB Admittedly, they had mostly had a few drinks, and Ian Woosnam more than made up for those who hadnt. But the European Ryder Cup team demonstrated in their final press conference the togetherness and camaraderie that swept them to victory. And they proved the perfect finale to the Dublin comedy festival. In fact they stole the show. Forget Little Britain, Ross Noble and the rest who played the capital this week, these guys do gags AND golf.http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/rydercup/2006/09/post_12.shtml Quotes of the day- September 24, 2006 K CLUB - Sensational scenes from the clubhouse balcony as Ian Woosnam's band of brothers showered themselves in champagne. The sight of Darren Clarke downing a pint and then saluting his public will live in the memory and most likely feature on every front page tomorrow. No-one drank more than captain Ian Woosnam, who unfortunately jettisoned some bubbly back out of his nostrils before following Clarke in draining a glass of the black stuff. Not being privy to the inner circle of the team,...http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/rydercup/2006/09/quotes_of_the_day_1.shtml Sorry Darren, we couldn't wait!- September 24, 2006 K CLUB - So there is to be no Irishman in a lake scenario this time...but who cares! The soft, rookie underbelly of the US team always looked vulnerable and once their top order had been dealt with it became a race to the line for Europe's middle order. The crowd wanted an Irishman (and ideally a certain Northern Irishman) but will definitely settle for a Swede. Well done Henrik Stenson. Having won "only" half a point prior to the singles and struggling early on against opponent Vaughn...http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/rydercup/2006/09/sorry_darren_we_couldnt_wait.shtml K Club eyes Clarke conclusion- September 24, 2006 K CLUB - Oh Woosie, you old romantic, you! Sharon Ni Bheolain, the single saving grace of the opening ceremony, said you were "a Celt..from across the Irish sea!" and she was clearly on to something. Talk about giving the paying public they want. In putting Darren Clarke seventh in your singles line-up you sent out a message to your top six - get our boy into position for the story and photo that will define this weekend. As things stand, Colin Montgomerie and Paul Casey have done their...http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/rydercup/2006/09/k_club_eyes_clarke_conclusion.shtml Pouring, but with passion- September 24, 2006 K CLUB - Rain alternating between heavy and torrential is not enough to douse the smouldering fires inside every single spectator at the K Club on Sunday. The first tee grandstand is already packed and they huddle five deep behind the practice ground, waiting, hoping, dreaming. Soaking. Its 1020 BST, less than an hour to go before the first singles match tees off and theres not a player in sight. Not on the range, the chipping area or the putting green.http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/rydercup/2006/09/post_11.shtml No Brookline blues for Woosie's army- September 24, 2006 K CLUB Top of the mor(only kidding, Irish readers), how is everybody feeling today Confident Nervous Depressed Rob and I have just walked past Colin Montgomerie doing his cabaret act on the practice range the Scot is first up today and watching him stride around like lord of the Ryder Cup manor it seems that everything is right in the world. Not that my American compadres would agree. I have just walked past one who was giving a very forthright interview to Irish television. Over-paid,...http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/rydercup/2006/09/post_10.shtml QUOTES OF THE DAY- September 23, 2006 K CLUB Anyone not feeling just a tad revved up for Sundays singles YOU BET WE ARE. And thats meant to include both sets of supporters. Sure, Europe are in the hot seat, but weve been here before, think Brookline 1999, and the Americans can halve the lead very quickly. And then anything can happen. Game on. Saturday was sensational at the K Club from a European perspective, topped by Paul Caseys hole-in-one and Sergio Garcias fourth win. And, as usual, there was some great chat behind the.http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/rydercup/2006/09/post_9.shtml What no JJ- September 23, 2006 K CLUB So what have we learned since lunchtime (theres another meal reference for you, Garrett!) One, Tom Lehman doesnt read this blog. Or if he does, he doesnt care for its opinions. And two, either NBC Sports or the staff in the media centre do because our audio feed to the US TV coverage has been stopped. This is a shame because Johnny Miller and the gang agreed with me about giving Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson some Ryder Cup rest. So what did Capn Tom do this afternoonhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/rydercup/2006/09/what_no_jj.shtml Easy like Saturday morning- September 23, 2006 K CLUB Absorbing, illuminating, tense, amusing. And a massive privilege. Not many Saturday mornings come close to leaning against a tree just yards from the action as four Ryder Cup matches unfold in front of you. The tree in question, an oak, stands behind the par-three 8th hole in one of the most picturesque corners of the K Club beside the River Liffey. Its 0930, the grandstand is full and an expectant crowd stands patiently in broken sunshine waiting for the fourballs.http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/rydercup/2006/09/easy_like_saturday_morning.shtml |