a) Ask him about it on the green with no one else listening: 80%
b) Nothing. It's a game of honor, and if something happened, he'll call it on himself: 20%
c) Tell my captain and let him handle it: 0%
Comment: "You have to say something. Whether you say something immediately or you wait until after he hits the putt, that's the debate. I'd prefer to wait to see if he calls it on himself. If he says nothing, I'd go to him and say, 'I think your ball moved before you hit it.' If he didn't see anything, then I'd say, 'I think we need to call an official and have him replay the tape.' "
If Colin Montgomerie doesn't make the European team or isn't selected as a captain's pick, how does that affect the European team?
a) Hurts them some: 40%
b) Hurts them a lot: 30%
c) No difference: 30%
Comments: "I don't care how he's playing, if you put him in the Ryder Cup, he's going to get you some points." . . . "His best golf is behind him."
After the Europeans have won three in a row and kept the Ryder Cup after eight of the past 11 meetings, how important is it for the U.S. team to win this year?
a) It's vital: 50%
b) It'd be nice: 50%
c) Hey, it's just an exhibition, right? 0%
Comments: "We don't like losing, no matter what. Especially when we're representing our country." . . . "I'd like to say it's just an exhibition, but we've gotten killed the last two times." . . . "I think it would just be really nice. I don't think it's vital. It's vital that your country wins the war it gets in. It's vital that we stop terrorism."
How would you rate the pressure on the U.S. team this year after three straight losses, two of them lopsided?
a) More: 70%
b) Same: 30%
c) Less: 0%
Comments: "There's no way around it: If you keep getting beat, it wears on you." . . . "Pressure is self-imposed. It's different for everybody."
QUICK QUIZ
Does Jack Nicklaus have a winning record in 10 Ryder Cup singles matches?
a) No: 50%
b) Yes: 30%
c) Don't know: 20%
(Answer: Neither; he was 4-4-2)
Comment: "It just shows you that people get up to play the best players." . . . "He was all about winning major championships."
READER SURVEY
What effect will Tiger Woods' absence have on the U.S. team's chance of winning?
a) It'll be the Wounded Tiger Syndrome: The U.S. team will suck it up and win: 45%
b) The U.S. was going to lose anyway: 23%
c) It hurts America's chances of winning: 22%
d) The Europeans are a lock to win: 10%
HOW IT WAS DONE: We interviewed 20 past and present U.S. Ryder Cup players and captains.
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