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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Tuesday, September 19: When going away I always like to use the Tripadvisor website to read reviews of where I’m staying. Hmmm, perhaps I shouldn’t have bothered. One reviewer describes my accommodation as "an embarrassment to the hotel industry". Still, I’ll keep an open mind until I arrive tomorrow morning. Another furrowed brow occurred when I read a piece from PA reporter Mark Garrod: "The tail-end of Hurricane Gordon in the Atlantic could be heading towards the K Club. Winds gusting to 40mph and rain of up to an inch are predicted for tomorrow and into Thursday." Don’t’ worry mum, I’ll be taking a suitable coat.

So it seems Tom Lehman knows his pairings but Woosie does not. Another example of the American skipper being better prepared? Possibly, but looking at both sides, Woosie definitely has more options and that can often be more of a hindrance than a help. It’s usually a ‘problem’ the American captain has to deal with but this time roles are reversed it seems.

Today has been a day for thinking. I’m writing my betting preview on Wednesday and after much cogitating over the last few weeks and a brief change of mind I now am very clear about where my money is going.

Monday, September 18: And so the Americans touch down in Ireland. Tom Lehman looks as if he’s trying to pull off some vintage old Irishman look with his overcoat and cardigan but, in reality, he resembles Albert Steptoe. Woosie, clearly miffed that the American plane is three hours late touching down, goes the other way and looks like a middle-aged man trying to appear younger. From certain angles he looks a bit like David Brent. In the press conference, Lehman tells a tale about visiting a hospital for soldiers injured in Iraq and Afghanistan and I’m afraid my eyes start to roll a bit. It’s all very well but what has it got to do with a game of golf?

I’ll be writing my Ryder Cup betting preview on Wednesday when I’ve had a good look around the course. This information is specifically being aimed at the guy who, without fail, sends me an abrupt e-mail when my US preview isn’t on the Betting Zone site at the end of Tuesday night. His argument is that by Wednesday morning all the best prices have gone. Well, Mr Davenport, this week I wrote the US preview on Wednesday morning…. and I tipped 125/1 winner Ben Curtis. Satisfied!!! Sorry, couldn’t resist that. To be fair Mr Davenport is a loyal reader and I’ll be happy to buy him a pint if he’s in Ireland this week. Knowing my luck I’ll arrange to meet him one minute after ‘happy hour’ and he’ll tell me off as the best prices have gone.

Sunday, September 17: I've grabbed hold of a copy of the Daily Mail today. Not to read the usual scaremongering nonsense aimed at middle-class housewives or even for the free Wet Wet Wet CD which they're giving away. No, I'm drawn to the special Ryder Cup pullout in which Sam Torrance rates the two teams out of 10. The former Ryder Cup skipper gives every European at least 7 while Sergio Garcia is his star man with 9. He awards Tiger a 10 (generous in my view given his shabby Ryder Cup record) but gives just 5 out of 10 to David Toms, Chad Campbell, Vaughn Taylor, JJ Henry, Zach Johnson and Brett Wetterich. Harsh on Toms me thinks. Overall Sam's Total Ratings read: Europe 93 United States 75. Not even close! Torrance backs it up by saying: "I have no hesitation in predicting with the utmost confidence that Europe will retain the Ryder Cup and chalk up three successive victories for the first time since Sam Ryder donated the trophy in 1927. For me, this is the strongest team we have ever fielded." He also sticks up for Woosie. "You don't have to worry about the Welsh warrior," says Torrance. "He was my vice-captain in 2002 and I know what a tough character he is."

Spotted in the crowd... Tiger Woods at Stamford Bridge for today's showdown between Chelsea and Liverpool. Apparently Woods is mates with Andriiy Shevchenko and has dropped in to lend his support.

Saturday, September 16: Europe would surely win the Ryder Cup if it was a drinking contest. Lee Westwood is interviewed on Soccer AM this morning and reveals he's hungover after going to see Robbie Williams last night. What's this obsession with Robbie Williams by the way? Monty even flew back to Scotland between rounds at the BMW International Open in Germany to see the gobby little irritant perform in Glasgow. Get some taste lads. I'll try and get some Arctic Monkeys CDs delivered to the European locker room.

I've had an e-mail overnight from a David Guest in America (isn't that the chap with really bad plastic surgery who married and divorced Liza Minelli? Surely not). Anyway, David revealed that Davis Love and Corey Pavin are both on standby to replace Scott Verplank on the US team if he reaggravates a rib injury. That was news to me I must admit although I've discovered an update on some of the US newswires this morning. "I was having my back worked on, and the guy hit the wrong spot and my rib got sore," Verplank revealed about his injury. But after missing the cut at the 84 Lumber Classic yesterday, he told reporters that "it's fine now."

Having experienced the insular nature of some of the US press first hand, I can't say I'm surprised by this comment: "A week after finishing last against men in the European Masters, which isn't a tour event, Michelle Wie was last again at the 84 Lumber Classic with rounds of 5-over 77 Thursday and 9-over 81 Friday. So it appears they don't recognise the European Masters as a European Tour event. The source, by the way, was the Associated Press and I would have thought they'd be above such ignorance.

Friday, September 15: With the Ryder Cup a week away, the form of the two sides couldn't be more different. Three of Woosie's team - Colin Montgomerie, Paul Casey and Robert Karlsson - have made it into the semi-finals of the HSBC World Match Play while, over in Spain, Padraig Harrington is leading the Madrid Masters after an excellent second round 65. But in the 84 Lumber Classic in America, Tom Lehman will be looking at the scores with a furrowed brow. At the time of writing, Chad Campbell is seven over for the day after 16 holes of his second round and is a certainty to miss the cut. As is Scott Verplank who is five over for his round. Brett Wetterich and Chris DiMarco are also the wrong side of the cut line after poor first rounds. Unless, of course, this is all part of a cunning US masterplan. Monty has just admitted he's tired after playing 36 holes for the second day running while Luke Donald, who lost to Shaun Micheel, said yesterday that it crossed his mind that if he reached the final on Sunday it may leave him fatigued for the Ryder Cup. So maybe Lehman has told all his players to miss the cut in America, get knocked out in the first round here (Woods and Furyk followed their instructions perfectly) and the Americans will all arrive in Ireland as fresh as daisies. Peter Alliss isn't having it though. He snorts at the idea of players being tired when chatting with Hazel Irvine on the Beeb and regales us with tales of players of yesteryear who were three stone overweight with flat feet who could play four rounds a day.

Thursday, September 14: The HSBC World Match Play at Wentworth is a useful dress rehearsal for next week's Ryder Cup but today the Americans have fluffed their lines. Tiger is a shock 4&3 loser to Shaun Micheel while Jim Furyk is taken out by one of the European team, Robert Karlsson. Luke Donald and Paul Casey also put a smile on Woosie's face by beating Tim Clark and Retief Goosen respectively while the 'derby' clash between Monty and David Howell goes all the way to the 36th hole with the Scot eventually coming out on top. Although Micheel beating Woods is a major shock, let's not forget that he was runner-up to Tiger in the USPGA so is no mug. That's the point with Match Play. 'No mugs' can beat world number ones and don't forget today's games were over 36 holes. In Ryder Cup matches played over 18 holes, there's even more scope for shock results. Meanwhile, I saw some footage of Tom Lehman this morning throwing out the first pitch at the start of a New York Yankees game. And what a shocker! It flew a mile over the batter's head and I swear Lehman was looking around to blame his caddie. Perhaps there's just too much adrenalin pumping through his veins at the minute.

Wednesday, September 13: While Woosie is topping up his mobile so he can exchange texts with the elusive European team, it's emerged that US skipper Tom Lehman has been picking the brains of legendary basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski. Lehman and Coach K chatted for 90 minutes in North Carolina on Monday and the session was described as "invaluable" by Lehman, who was given advice about handling a side made up of superstars and Ryder Cup rookies. Krzyzewski told Lehman about his experience as assistant coach with the 1992 US 'Dream Team' and how Michael Jordan told him that everybody sees a team as a totem pole. Lehman revealed: "He said Michael Jordan told him the way the team works is the totem pole is sideways, everybody is the same on the team. That's kind of how I saw our trip to Ireland . . . (it) kind of turned this totem pole from this to this," added Lehman, waving his arms around. You can imagine Woosie being told the same and thinking: "What a pile of sh*t."

Tuesday, September 12: Woosie told Wales On Sunday at the weekend that he will text his team to get their ideas about prospective playing partners. Wonder if he uses Text Speak. “Hi Monty m8. 4ball thgts? P.S. Fan c a pnt?” The obvious question is why can’t he just ring them? Well apparently Woosie tried ringing all 12 of them the other day but “couldn’t get through to even one of the b*ggers.” Of course, Woosnam’s jokey tone means he’s not exactly stressing that no-one picked up the phone. “I know how the Ryder Cup works,” says Woosie. “It’s not rocket science.” That’s a stark contrast to Tom Lehman whose detailed preparations seem to have more in common with a moon landing.

Monday, September 11: Woosie reveals more about Europe’s Ryder Cup set-up in an interview with Bill Elliott in Sunday’s Observer. The Welshman will install a massive barrel of Guinness in the European locker room so any of his team who fancy a drop of the black stuff has it on tap. The Americans are also welcome to drop by for a pint. Apparently, last time it was red wine and coffee. Woosie also provides an interesting betting angle on the reason why he didn’t let the wildcard contenders know their fate before he announced it in a press conference. “There was a lot of money being bet on who I’d select so I had to keep quiet,” says Woosie. Very honourable in some ways. Or is it a convenient excuse?

Friday September 8: Drat. Just checked my flight details and realised I won't arrive in Ireland in time for the official media 'Finger Buffet' on Tuesday evening. Talking of food and drink, I've just been sent a most bizarre e-mail by freelancer Charlie Forsyth who, due to the absence of Dave John and I, will be writing this week's Spanish Open golf preview. During his research he's stumbled across a story describing Bing Crosby's death and apparently the great crooner's last words were "Let's go have a Coca-Cola". The scene was La Moralaeja Golf Course in Spain and the date was October 14 1977. Bing planned to go off and shoot a partridge after winning his four-ball but tragically for him (although fortunately for the bird) he never got the chance. After coming off the course and singing "Strangers in the Night" to some construction workers the poor old boy delivered his line about wanting a coke before conking out after a massive heart attack. If you want to google the full story type in "Bing Crosby - The Final Round". It certainly beats the story Tarby tells in his book about a donkey running off with Ronnie Corbett's clubs.

Thursday September 7: At least Woosie admits he was a bit of a shambles in Sunday's press conference. "I knew when I was standing there I was very nervous and I might not have come over very well," Woosie tells Sky Sports News. Surely dealing with the media in a confident manner is part of the job though. Today Woosie has been at the K Club with several members of his team, including Darren Clarke, Luke Donald, David Howell and Jose Maria Olazabal. "It was important that we got together and played the course," says Ollie. "Now we are going to have a couple of beers and talk about it and see what Woosie has to say." God forbid anyone on the European team who doesn't like a pint. Are all Woosie's team talks done from the nearest bar?

Wednesday September 6: Punters seem to be picking up on the fact that, at this stage, the USA look the better organised of the two teams. While the ugly fallout from 'Bjorn-gate' has been spread over the back pages and as the lead story on this very website, it's also being revealed that US skipper Tom Lehman has contacted Bernhard Langer at least six times. Woosie, meanwhile, has had no contact with the man who masterminded Europe's biggest ever win and looked uncomfortable when asked 'why not?' in Sunday's press conference. With the perception growing that Woosie doesn't know what he's doing, punters are steaming into the Americans and Stan James revealed in an e-mail yesterday that they've cut the USA to 6/5 from 11/8 after a string of heavy bets. Europe remain slight favourites however but will that change between now and the start on September 22? Thomas Bjorn has now come out and apologised to Woosie but it's too late to prevent the Dane being fined a "substantial sum", believed to be around £10,000, by the European Tour. "I realise I have made a mistake and, as such, have unreservedly apologised to Ian for my comments, which were made in the heat of the moment," says Bjorn. Maybe they'll have that pint after all. Woosie has also been given the thumbs-up by Sergio Garcia today. "I think he's going to do a good job," says the Spaniard, although the tense is interesting. "Going to". Does that mean he hasn't done one yet? Perhaps I'm digging too hard for unrest here as Garcia does admit that Woosie made two good picks with his wildcards.

Tuesday September 5: Interestingly, virtually all the e-mails we've had from Sportinglife.com readers over the last few days are in favour of Bjorn, the general concensus being that he deserved a wildcard pick more than Lee Westwood. I'm not 100% sure about that. My gripe with Woosie is how he's gone about the matter, not necessarily who he's picked.

Monday September 4: Thomas Bjorn, the man considered the most unfortunate to have been overlooked for a wildcard pick, hasn't taken the news well. Bjorn reveals that Woosnam hasn't spoken to him and some of the other players who did actually make the Ryder Cup team for six months. "The man is barmy," blasts Bjorn on his website. "To be captain and not even communicate with your team at all. It doesn't give you much respect. It looks like he first needs to learn how to be captain." Woosie doesn't quite seem to have picked up on the magnitude of Bjorn's fury though. He says casually that Bjorn "wasn't a happy chappy" when he told him the news - a 20-second chat in the bar after the press conference, according to Bjorn. "Hopefully when this blows over after a while we can have a few beers over it," says Woosie optimistically. Erm, not much hope of that given that Bjorn states on his website: "My relationship with Woosnam is completely dead and will remain so in future."

Sunday September 3: Woosie announces his two Ryder Cup picks and as expected he gives the nod to Darren Clarke and Lee Westwood. But his press conference is something of a shambles to be honest. Take this bit. Q. "What did he (Westwood) say when given the news, and when did you give him that news?" Woosie: "Well, funny enough, it has been in the last few minutes that I've made a decision. I tried to ring Lee about ten to six. He's obviously flown off and I haven't got in touch with him." Alarm bells! And it continues.... Q. "Disappointing a number of players, can you just clarify for us, have you had a chance to speak to some of those or all of those?" Woosie: "No, I haven't, because as I say, I've only just made that decision. I know over the next couple of days, I'll contact them all and say, you know, I'm sorry, but I've had to go with my heart, and my feeling on what's got to be best for the team." More alarm bells. So basically Woosie has left everyone in the dark and their fate has been revealed in a press conference. That is either downright rude of him or just woefully poor organisation. Surely he could have got a message to Westwood before he boarded his plane. Not telling those involved first is terrible man management in my view and I expect there will be some fallout from this. Almost as shameful as when Phil Collins ditched his wife by fax.