The fun started on the way over on Virgin Atlantic and I hope it doesn稚 end until we return home with the Ryder Cup next Monday. We had a great time on the plane and I even found time to have a hand and arm massage from one of the masseuses on board. Everybody was milling about chatting and joking and there really was a feeling that a great team spirit will develop as we get closer to Friday. Captain Bernhard Langer certainly knows the way to my heart because he bought us all Rolex watches which have been inscribed to commemorate this particular match. Or perhaps he felt I needed something more reliable having been five minutes late for a team meeting in Germany last week. Our team room is also going to be a fun place with pool, darts and a table tennis table in there so we値l have well and truly bonded by the time we have to make our way to the first tee. We were fairly close before we arrived here any way because in Europe we tend to travel, dine and practise with one another more than in America so we know one another a little bit better than the American guys do. I was out practising with rookies David Howell and Paul Casey this morning, but nothing should be read into that because we all gave Press interviews at roughly the same time and it was a logical thing to do afterwards. Actually, Bernhard has not spoken to any of us yet about pairings. He痴 probably got his plans and ideas, but at the moment he痴 keeping them to himself. I値l be pleased to play with anybody. I知 not bothered who I知 paired with. I値l be bringing you up to date every day with what痴 happening on and off the course, but for now I知 heading for the practise range and a lesson from Stuart Cage, the former Tour player and Cannes Open champion who acts as player liaison and star finder for ISM. I値l let you know what he told me tomorrow. |