Our golf expert Dave Tindall is at the K Club and he'll bring you all the latest news and colour.
 
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Friday, September 22:

2110: And still here. The wireless has just gone down in the press tent. I can't remember what I was going to write now. That suggests it's time to go. Like Tiger I'm starving again and while I'm sat here most of the other journos are in the bar at the back of the canteen drinking Guinness.

2040: Still here. Just reading Tom Lehman's quotes. Maybe his intense, detailed approach to everything is wearing him out a little. "This whole day is kind of a blur to me at the moment," he says. And later when asked about why David Toms and Chad Campbell, who played well this afternoon, aren't lining up in the fourballs the answer again seemed a bit befuddled. "What can I say, there's only eight spots. And the teams we put out are the teams that I think will be... I think they are very strong teams. I'm not sure how to answer that question or what to say." Hmmmm. True, Woosie wasn't sure what the score was when the final match finished but while Lehman frets you can imagine Woosie relaxing with a few pints of Guinness. You can do all the preparation in the world but if the putts don't drop it's always going to be hard. And that's what Lehman has to deal with. "I felt like our team hit a lot of good putts but didn't make many. The European Team definitely made the putts." Still, this match is far from over even though Europe have been cut to 8/15 to win. The United States are out to 2/1 in places while the tie is 10/1.

2000: A hard luck tale to report from Stuart Balfour who tells me that he'd backed all four afternoon games to be tied. He says Furyk hitting it into the water on the last cost him over nine grand. But he's taking it with good grace though: "Dave, if you see him in the press tent, pour a pint of that free Guinness over his bald head."

1955: Not too many surprises. Harry and I had just tried to guess the line-ups and were pretty close. We called three of the American pairings correctly but were wrong with Verplank and Johnson. I thought Toms might play. We both agreed on Garcia/Olazabal and Westwood/Clarke and had three of the other four right except with different partners. I thought Woosie might play the two Swedes together.

1950: Breaking news.... here are Saturday's fourballs.

0800: Cink/Henry v Casey/Karlsson
0815: Mickelson/DiMarco v Garcia/Olazabal
0830: Woods/Furyk v Clarke/Westwood
0845: Verplank/Johnson v Stenson/Harrington

1940: As I walk into the interview room, Tiger is sat in a chair outside. It's one of those double take moments as he's just slumped there like a disinterested security guard, looking cheesed off. I actually come back out twice just to make sure it's him. Elin is reading Golf Weekly. Finally, McGinley and Harrington come out and in walks Tiger and Jim Furyk. I'm expecting Tiger to say that Furyk baled him out but that's not the case. In fact, Furyk ends up praising Tiger and apologising for a few missed putts. "I'm starving," says Tiger with a smile and the interview is over. Not surprisingly, the atmosphere is much more upbeat as Garcia and Donald come in. A question is asked in Spanish, and Donald jokes "I'll take this one." Garcia's answer goes on for about five minutes and after a while Donald starts making a 'cut' gesture with his hand. But Sergio says the interviewer "has just been telling me I've been playing sh*t and I'm trying to make him realise I've been having a decent summer!" Next through is Woosie who, in that funny accent of his, says: "I've played all me players and I think they played exceptionally well, every single one of them." Woosie says he would have been happy with a one point lead. He says the word "spirit" about six times and you get the feeling that he can't quite believe what a good squad he has. He mistakes Stenson with Karlsson during one anecdote before admitting that it's not as fun being a captain because he'd be having a pint now if he was a player. Classic Woosie!

1846: It's going to get busy in the press tent now with all the players being brought in for interview. I'm off to see what they have to say.

1845: Woosie's got his finger on the pulse. He's interviewed afterwards and isn't even sure of the final score! We're 5-3 up Ian.

1841: Monty is all smiles as you'd expect while, to the side of the green, Darren Clarke lights up a cigar. So 5-3 to Europe. An excellent start for Woosie's boys.

1840: Cheers and applause in the press tent as Monty knocks it in to claim a dramatic halve. That could be a big, big moment. Monty has had a poor day but, using one of his favourite phrases, Dinner will taste much better tonight after that. Top man Monty!

1839: DiMarco tugs his birdie putt left of the hole so Monty has the chance to halve it. Does he hole it Kevin?

1836: Can Monty and Westwood sneak a halve at the last? The Americans have 10ft for birdie so they have a chance. Westwood hits his lengthy eagle putt about 8 feet past the hole so it's odds-on the Americans now.

1833: Stenson is asked if he knows if he'll be playing tomorrow and produces a classic answer. "As they say in Monty Python, I know nothing." Just a shame that the line is actually from Manuel in Fawlty Towers! Expect a ticking off from Jesper Parnevik, whose Dad is one of Sweden's best-known comedians.

1832: Howell praises Stenson in his greenside interview, saying the Swede carried him.

1831: Can Howell claim the win? No! It shaves the hole and the match is halved. Probably a deserved outcome for such a high-quality game. Europe now lead 4.5 to 2.5.

1830: Toms is first up. It's tracking towards the hole but lips out. So unlucky!

1825: All three results still possible in game two (Howell/Stenson v Cink/Toms) with both teams finding the green in three and facing similar length putts at 18.

1823: A big rainbow arches up over the K Club. Always a pleasing sight for fans of mixed weather.

1821: Mickelson bales DiMarco out and they head to the 18th one up on Westwood and Monty.

1820: Furyk needs to hole a 25 footer to force Donald to make his short par putt. But he can't and it's a win for Donald and Garcia. Europe now 4-2 up.

1812: DiMarco and Mickelson go one up at the 16th but DiMarco then lashes one into the trees on 17. Mickelson's face is a picture. And more bad news for the visitors as Furyk duffs one into the water on 18. Tiger finds the green but the Americans have now played four. A par five will win the match for Donald and Garcia.

1810: Heroic stuff from Johnson and Campbell who birdie the final three holes to halve the match with Harrington and McGinley. Big pats on the back from Lehman. Match score: Europe 3 USA 2.

1805: The Americans have two putts for a halve in the top match. Suddenly, it's pouring down with rain. That's not a metaphor by the way. It genuinely is raining.

1802: Furyk can't save the Americans again and when his putt rolls by, Donald taps in to put he and Garcia one up with one to play.

1801: Another interesting e-mail from overseas. Liam Kelly reveals: "Here in California, I cannot believe the almost total lack of Ryder Cup coverage in the media, which is a sure sign of the U.S underdog status. There is more coverage in today’s Mercury News (which BTW, boasts of the highest readership in the San Francisco Bay Area) of Michelle Wie’s decision to ignore the Women’s tour than of the Ryder Cup itself." And say hello to your two kids, who are enjoying the blog I'm told.

1800: You're the man Sergio! A fantastic approach to the 17th leaves Donald with a putt which might even be conceded.

1757: This isn't Monty's day. He fires his approach to the 16th into the water. That's the second time today he's found the River Liffey. DiMarco punishes him with an excellent shot onto the green.

1755: Great shot from Stenson but Howell still has five feet or so. But he makes it and it stays all square.

1752: At the 16th, Cink sets up a tap-in birdie for the Americans in game two after a lovely bunker shot. Stenson will have to try and match that from deep greenside rough.

1750: Johnson holes for a superb birdie at 17 but McGinley responds in kind. Fantastic stuff! Europe still lead by one going up the last. Some raised hands from the Irish journalists in here for that one.

1748: The walk from the 16th to the 17th is a lengthy one and I admit I got completely lost there this morning. Luckily, Garcia and Olazabal had closed the match out at 16 so it didn't really matter. Anyway, I got a nice view of the K Club hotel, where both teams are staying. Woods, Furyk, Donald and Garcia are off to the 17th tee now.

1746: Sensational putt by Furyk who earns the halve at 16. Tiger owes him a drink tonight.

1745: Great approach to Harrington to the 17th. Europe are looking good for the win here.

1742: Tiger tries to respond to Garcia but his wedge is modest and leaves Furyk with 15 to 20 feet for the halve. And what a superb tee-shot by McGinley at the 17th as he splits the narrow fairway.

1740: That explains it! Garcia's wedge hits the green and spins back just inches from the hole. A certain birdie.

1740: A big roar from outside but nothing to confirm it on TV yet.

1738: Both captains are out there to support their respective teams in the top match. Woosie looks particulary worried. Here comes the par 17th. Europe could kill the match off here or end it all square with one to play.

1735: The Americans are charging. Europe are now just one up in the top game while the bottom three games are all square.

1730: The next hour could be crucial. There are signs that the Americans are staging a late rally and could get themselves out of a sticky situation. If the matches were to finish now, Europe would lead 5.5pts-2.5pts and that would leave Lehman's side with an awful lot to do. But the United States could still end the day tied or even hold a narrow lead if they pull off a late turnaround.

1715: Harrington and McGinley steal the 15th and are two up with three to play against Campbell and Johnson. The Irish crowd, which includes Darren Clarke, like that one!

1710: And Furyk rolls the putt in and the bottom game is tied with four holes to go.

1707: Excellent, a US reader has taken the bait over my "Hard to imagine an American player saying that" line. "Something else that's hard to imagine would be an American publication printing trash about European player's wives," says Richard Smith. I could respond but I'll take the hit and call our match a halve.

1705: Woods and Furyk have come to life in the bottom game. Furyk holes a big looping birdie putt - their first of the afternoon - to cut the gap to one and then Woods hits his tee-shot to five feet at the par three 14th. Sergio responds with a fine shot of his own but this match could be level in five minutes.

1650: A beautiful tee shot from Garcia at 12 and Donald makes the most of it by holing the birdie putt to put the European pair two up on Woods and Furyk. Earlier, Olazabal said he really enjoyed partnering Garcia this morning, revealing: "The way he played was awesome. Playing alongside Sergio, it's like watching golf at its best. I've felt much closer to him the last few years. I think he's matured." Looks like Donald is enjoying it too. With Monty not quite at his best, perhaps Garcia is going to emerge as Europe's star man this year.

1647: Zach Johnson has a chance to tie the top game but slides a short putt past the hole. Harrington and McGinley remain one up with five to play.

1645: Monty's putt on 10 looks set to turn the scoreboard completely blue but it just misses, leaving he and Westwood level with Mickelson and DiMarco. Europe are one up in each of the other three games.

1635: Silliest quote of the day so far belongs to Stewart Cink. "There's plenty of support for us, but they are outnumbered by the Europeans for geographic reasons." Thanks for clearing that up Stewart. I couldn't work out why there were more Irish people here than Americans.

1630: Tom Lehman revealed earlier that he'd be happy if it's a tie at the end of the day. I bet he would! As well as losing the fourballs 2.5-1.5, the Americans are down in two and level in two of the afternoon games. And, what's more, Woosie has given everyone a game today while Lehman has benched Verplank and Taylor.

1628: A gasp from the press tent as Tiger misses a short putt at 10, leaving Europe 2Up. He's played miserably today. Surely it wasn't just the fake porno pics.

1625: Damn, they've stopped serving hot food. Chicken, sage and onion stuffing sandwich it is then. Just saw a shot of the American WABS (wives and birdies) and they appear to be dressed as witches.

1610: Flagging again due to lack of food. Luckily there's a big TV in the canteen so I can keep an eye on the proceedings. Currently, Europe are ahead in one while the other three are tied so it's beautifully poised.

1600: How kind. A lady has just given me a free Ryder Cup hat. It's actually a 2008 Ryder Cup hat with the venue, Valhalla, written on it.

1555: The tide is turning back towards the United States in the afternoon games. From being down in three and level in the other, they're now up in one, level in two and down in just one. That's the bottom one where Garcia's solid par putt keeps he and Donald one up on Woods and Furyk.

1542: Darren Clarke handles himself with great dignity and humour. His most eloquent answer comes when asked a rather long-winded question about the type of emotion he showed at the end of the match. Clarke says simply: "Emotion that hopefully you'll never have to feel." Clarke also reveals that he's not emotionally drained and the real reason that he's not playing this afternoon is that he told Woosie that if the skipper was in a predicament as to who to leave out, he didn't mind. There's another interesting moment when he explains that out of courtesy to his opponents he made sure he didn't try and whip the home crowds up further than they already might have been. Hard to imagine an American player saying that. Finally, he's asked if his two kids would have been watching. Clarke looks at his watch and says they wouldn't have been back from school yet but he's sure Tyrone, his eight-year-old, would have recorded it on Sky+. Good lad!

1530: Darren Clarke is now coming into the press tent. There's a stampede to the interview room. Back soon.

1520: Due to attending the press conferences, I haven't had much chance yet to watch any of the foursomes but as I look up Donald holes a great putt and he and Garcia are now 1Up on Woods and Furyk. Europe are now up in three matches with Harrington & McGinley leading Campbell & Johnson and Howell & Stenson leading Cink and Toms. Monty & Westwood are level with Mickelson and DiMarco in match 3. All looking good for Europe.

1500: Wetterich, then Casey & Karlsson then J.J. Henry come in for interview. Wetterich is disappointed at the way he's played but enjoyed his first Ryder Cup experience. The US journalists dig for some dirt, asking if the crowds had jeered him or if there had been any gamesmanship from Garcia but Wetterich doesn't oblige. "Didn't see any of that," he responds. Face it guys, the simple fact is that Garcia and Olazabal were just too good. The little and large duo of Casey and Karlsson agree that their halve with J.J. Henry and Stewart Cink was a fair result. But they also reveal a couple of errors from Woosie. It emerges that they were nearly late for the start of the match as Woosie had told them it would be nice if they arrived after the Americans. Apparently the US pair had the reverse idea and both made it with 30 seconds to spare. Karlsson also reveals that Woosie told him the sixth was playing really, really long. The Swede thought a 6-iron was perfect but had his mind changed and then launched one a mile over the green. However, they chuckle about both incidents so no lasting damage. Casey admits that Karlsson carried him for most of the round and the Swede clearly looks as if he's really enjoyed his first experience of the Ryder Cup. As does J.J. Henry. He's absolutely thrilled with how he played and reveals that he and Cink shot six-under on the back nine. Interestingly, AP reporter Doug Ferguson asks what he's doing in here (the interview room) - the inference being he should be out there playing the foursomes. Henry isn't exactly sure but won't be drawn into criticising Lehman. It's pretty obvious though that everyone thinks Lehman has made a mistake by not letting perhaps his most in-form player have another bash. Henry describes the crowds as "awesome", "respectful" and "knowledge".

1415: For some reason, Brett Wetterich has come into the press tent for interview. I'm going to pop along and see what he has to say.

1412: So they we are. Europe win the fourballs 2.5 to 1.5. Three of the matches went up the 18th so it's been tight but Woosie's boys are justifying favouritism.

1410: Darren Clarke trickles his putt up to the hole on the 18th and Europe have another point. There's a big embrace from Westwood and the emotion catches up with Clarke who has to really fight back the tears. That's no surprise and I think it's very wise of Woosie not to put him out again this afternoon. Clarke is interviewed by Sky and says he'll never forget the reception he had on the first tee. Westwood is never short of a joke so is really good for Clarke and I'm so chuffed that the two have won their game. The Americans put up a decent fight but Mickelson does little to dispel the view that he's struggling for form.

1400: Just after Garcia had teed off at the 15th, the Radio boys revealed this afternoon's foursomes. They are:

Harrington/McGinley v Campbell/Johnson
Howell/Stenson v Cink/Toms
Westwood/Montgomerie v Mickelson/DiMarco
Donald/Garcia v Woods/Furyk

The first point to note is that Woosie has ensured that the whole team have had a run out on day one. That's not the case with the Americans, who have still to play Vaughn Taylor and Scott Verplank. Lehman must surely now regret picking him over Davis Love. There's some interesting matches in store and most eyes will be on the final one. Having seen Garcia in action today, I'd fancy him again. Woods got away with some poor play this morning but he'll be punished much more in foursomes when they hit alternate shots.

1350: J.J. Henry holes a vital putt at the last, meaning Casey's short one is only for a halve. That makes it one win each with one tied. Just the final match to go and Westwood and Clarke are one up on Mickelson and DiMarco.

1340: A good time to come back in with the rain now coming down. Ryder Cup radio keeps me informed of all the matches out there as, of course, do the cheers from the crowds. I'm glad I pick the Spaniards to follow as they put the first European point on the board. It comes just moments after Woods and Furyk see off Monty and Harrington so such an immediate riposte is vital. There were fears beforehand that, despite being compatriots, Olazabal and Garcia weren't really great friends. But you wouldn't know it. Garcia is naturally ebullient and so is an ideal foil for Olly who has a tendency to brood. That happens on the 15th. Olly's drive is a little off line but just as the serious face descends, Garcia has him laughing again within seconds. Garcia just loves this environment and really feeds off the crowds. He hits some beautiful shots and holes crucial putts too. There is a real Spanish feel to the match as I walk round. The sun is shining, there are big groups of Spaniards following the match and several are draped in the flag. Garcia finally finishes the match off at the 16th as they complete a 4 & 2 victory. The two Americans don't do much wrong but you look at Olazabal and Garcia and, from a European point of view, they just fill you with confidence.