US is a picture of calm regarding absent Cup

STRAFFAN, Ireland -- The Cup is theirs, and they don't seem to be in a hurry to give it back. Not even if it follows protocol.

It was the traditional team photo day at the 36th Ryder Cup yesterday and since 1987 the procedure has been for each team to pose with the famous hardware. Go back through the PGA of America media guide and you can confirm that it's been part of the opening day festivities.

Not this year, though no one seemed to want to make a big deal out of it.

``I wasn't aware of that," said US captain Tom Lehman, whose team never had the Ryder Cup in its possession during the photo. ``I have no idea what the protocol is or isn't, so I can't even respond to that."

The Europeans, who have won the event the last two meetings, did have the Ryder Cup in their possession for their team photo, and apparently in an innocent oversight, it never got over to the Americans for their photo.

J.J. Henry's breakthrough season continued when he was put out in the very first session, paired with Stewart Cink in the second four-ball match against Paul Casey and Robert Karlsson today. If you're thinking the Connecticut-born and raised Henry may need an introduction to Karlsson, a Swede, think again. ``I actually played with him [three weeks ago] in Boston," said Henry, referring to the Deutsche Bank Championship at TPC Boston. ``He's really just a pleasure to be around." Henry, in his sixth season on the PGA Tour, broke through for his first win in June at the Buick Championship in his native Connecticut and kept the good times rolling by earning an automatic berth on this Ryder Cup team. In his practice rounds here, Henry has been striping it, so his pairing with Cink wasn't much of a surprise . . . Jim Furyk suggested -- tongue in cheek, of course -- that Tiger Woods wanted to be his partner because he loved watching him swing. Was that true? ``Yeah," said Woods. ``Because I'm always wondering, you know, how he makes contact." . . . It remains a mystery to those around the game, but Vaughn Taylor and Brett Wetterich, two of the four American rookies, have never played in a competitive match-play event. Taylor did say he used to have fun matches with his teammates at Augusta State, but not only could he not remember the name of his opponent, he couldn't remember whether or not he won . . . Asked for the best advice he received on the first tee of a Ryder Cup match, European captain Ian Woosnam wasted very little time. Tony Jacklin told him ``to enjoy it."

By now, it's an old, old topic, but the weather continues to be a main source of conversation over here. After a hurricane-like feel to Wednesday, yesterday was again windy and cloudy, but the rain was at a minimum and both teams were able to get in final practice rounds. As folks talked about the weather, naturally the possibility of pushing into Monday has been raised. Lehman hardly flinched when asked about that. ``It's a golf tournament and we're all used to delays and playing on Monday," he said. ``It's not like something that's never been done before." . . . With wet conditions a certainty, Woosnam confirmed that he and Lehman had agreed that lift, clean, and place should be in effect, but the final decision rests with the PGA Europe officials. When he was discussing this topic, Woosnam referred to it as ``wipe and place," then caught himself as he looked out at a press room that contained quite a few American journalists, and added: ``Or whatever you call it in America." That would be lift, clean, and place, yet Woosnam came up with his description of it. ``Pick it up and clean it and replace it." . . . What has already been decided is this: The one-ball rule is not in effect. That means once foursomes arrive, partners can have two different balls in play, but only one per hole. For example, Furyk plays a Srixon, Woods a Nike, so they have the option of using either one, but they have to declare at each tee. If Woods has the tee and wants to play the Nike, he chooses that and the Nike ball is in play for the duration of the hole. At the next tee, Furyk would be free to choose the Srixon.

With inclement weather looming, both sides went indoors for the traditional team photos. As the Europeans lined up, it was curious that Woosnam had his caddie in attendance. Even wilder, Woosnam's bag was there, and to top it off, there were clubs in it. Not being able to get close enough, it was hard to determine whether he had two drivers and 15 clubs. (OK, some background may be needed. In 2001, Woosnam was in contention at the British Open but he played the first hole at Royal Lytham with 15 clubs, the extra one being a second driver he had meant to leave in his locker. It was a two-shot penalty and initiated his fall down the leaderboard.) . . . Remaining along the silly lines, former PGA Tour player Dennis Trixler was brought here by Lehman to be Team USA's cook. Rumor has it that Emeril, he of the Portuguese ancestry, was rejected for fear that he'd be a European loyalist. And to think, Walter Hagen, Sam Snead, Ben Hogan, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, and all those legends managed to go 22-3 in the Ryder Cup because they had Chef Boyardee to prepare team meals.