Stars benchedSergio Garcia and Lee Westwood will both be on the bench today at the Ryder Cup, marking the first time the two European stars will miss a match in their careers.Westwood — who paired with Garcia in the morning — halved both of his matches and is unbeaten in 12 straight matches, tying Arnold Palmer’s Ryder Cup record. Garcia lost his afternoon match.Tiger textsOne of the more meaningful text messages that Paul Azinger received on the eve of the Ryder Cup came from the one player he wished he had on the team — Tiger Woods.“He sent me one last night that said, ’Kick their (behind),’” Azinger said after the morning matches.Lefty loses coolPhil Mickelson rarely shows much of a temper, but he couldn’t help himself Friday morning.With his foursomes match all square, and Europe inside 4 feet for a birdie attempt, Mickelson was trying to hole his chip from just off the 10th green. He turned around and glared at photographers right after his ball made contact.Someone had clicked his camera early, causing a distraction.“C’mon, guys,” Mickelson complained. “Who did that?”He didn’t let it go there. Mickelson panned the cluster of photographers, trying to figure out the culprit. Once he identified the photographer, Mickelson stared at him.“I’m going to ask you to be removed,” Mickelson said. “That is so uncool.”Police and marshals walked toward the photographer, who quickly ducked outside the ropes until they caught up to him. Later, he was seen cleaning out his locker.Olé indeedBefore the players ever made it to the first tee Friday, the battle within the gallery had already begun.U.S. fans started a rousing “U.S.A.” chant. Euro fans responded with a sing-songy “Eurrrr-up, Eurrrr-up.”They followed it up with the ubiquitous “Olé” chant heard often at European soccer matches.Undaunted, U.S. fans fired back with a chant of “Soccer (stinks)” as fans in the stands — the Euros included — laughed.

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Posted on Fri, Sep. 19, 2008 10:15 PM

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Ryder cup notes: European team benches Garcia, Westwood

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Stars benched

Sergio Garcia and Lee Westwood will both be on the bench today at the Ryder Cup, marking the first time the two European stars will miss a match in their careers.

Westwood — who paired with Garcia in the morning — halved both of his matches and is unbeaten in 12 straight matches, tying Arnold Palmer’s Ryder Cup record. Garcia lost his afternoon match.

Tiger texts

One of the more meaningful text messages that Paul Azinger received on the eve of the Ryder Cup came from the one player he wished he had on the team — Tiger Woods.

“He sent me one last night that said, ’Kick their (behind),’” Azinger said after the morning matches.

Lefty loses cool

Phil Mickelson rarely shows much of a temper, but he couldn’t help himself Friday morning.

With his foursomes match all square, and Europe inside 4 feet for a birdie attempt, Mickelson was trying to hole his chip from just off the 10th green. He turned around and glared at photographers right after his ball made contact.

Someone had clicked his camera early, causing a distraction.

“C’mon, guys,” Mickelson complained. “Who did that?”

He didn’t let it go there. Mickelson panned the cluster of photographers, trying to figure out the culprit. Once he identified the photographer, Mickelson stared at him.

“I’m going to ask you to be removed,” Mickelson said. “That is so uncool.”

Police and marshals walked toward the photographer, who quickly ducked outside the ropes until they caught up to him. Later, he was seen cleaning out his locker.

Olé indeed

Before the players ever made it to the first tee Friday, the battle within the gallery had already begun.

U.S. fans started a rousing “U.S.A.” chant. Euro fans responded with a sing-songy “Eurrrr-up, Eurrrr-up.”

They followed it up with the ubiquitous “Olé” chant heard often at European soccer matches.

Undaunted, U.S. fans fired back with a chant of “Soccer (stinks)” as fans in the stands — the Euros included — laughed.

| Star News Services

Posted on Fri, Sep. 19, 2008 10:15 PM

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