I'm a big fan of harbingers and portents, but I'm also superstitious, so I'm a little leery about mentioning this.

But...

A U.S. media contingent whipped its European counterparts recently in a pre-Ryder Cup event. Whipped them good. Pounded them, in fact. Got them down, put a foot on their throat, and never let up. Sent them home with their tails between their legs. All in good fun, of course.

My group was playing against a silent Scot and a huge Swede. The Swede wanted to win so badly he took himself out of the game.

We played at the Palmer course at the K Club, the site of the real Ryder Cup starting this weekend, and there were more than a few gripes from the Euros about it being such an "American" course.

True enough, we didn't have to adapt to any European-style links golf – no wind, no long, dry bounces in the fairways, no death-rough. We tore up the American course – relatively speaking – and left them in tatters.

I don't think this will be such an advantage for the real U.S. Ryder Cuppers, because European pros are more used to playing American courses than European media, who aren't as wealthy as the pros and thus can't afford to travel to the U.S. as much.

In any case – I've done my part for God and country. Now, if only Tiger can follow my example.

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