Ryder Cup Ready to Tee Off

Flamboyant Spanish golfer awaits biopsy results

(NEWSER) - Retired Spanish golfer Seve Ballesteros, 51, announced yesterday that he has a brain tumor and is awaiting a biopsy to determine whether it is malignant. The five-time major winner collapsed in Madrid last week, the Times reports. “I want to be the best at confronting the most difficult match of my life with all my strength,” Ballesteros said. More»

(AP) - The Americans didn't need a miracle putt or even the best player in the world to reclaim the Ryder Cup from Europe today for the first time since 1999. The United States won 16 1/2-11 1/2, its largest margin of victory since 1981. Kenny Perry, the 48-year-old Kentucky local who felt this week would make or break his career, was part of an early push that swung momentum toward the Americans. More»

(AP) - Birdie putts kept falling, one on top of the other, until the Americans finally secured a Saturday lead in the Ryder Cup for the first time since 1995 to set up a final day that finally matters. The US team leads 9-7 heading into tomorrow's matches, giving it a decent chance to end a nearly decade-long drought against the Europeans. "The golf has been incredible,"said captain Paul Azinger. "My stomach is just churning." More»

Even without Garcia, Westwood

(AP) - Even with Sergio Garcia and Lee Westwood reduced to the role of spectators, the Europeans cut into a commanding US lead at the Ryder Cup today. The Europeans closed to within 7-5 by winning two matches and halving another. Jim Furyk and Kenny Perry gave the Americans their only outright win of the morning alternate-shot matches, beating Padraig Harrington and Robert Karlsson 3-and-1. More»

(AP) - The Americans have built their biggest opening-day lead at the Ryder Cup in nearly 3 decades, losing only one match today to go up 5 1/2-2 1/2 over defending champion Europe, the AP reports. Justin Leonard and Ryder Cup rookie Hunter Mahan won both their matches. Phil Mickelson teamed with another rookie, Anthony Kim, to halve a morning match and win a full point in the afternoon. More»