Ryder Cup nerves?, tension? they were quick to surface as the Europe against United States showdown got underway here on Friday.
Under grey skies and cool conditions a huge cheer went up from the thousands of fans lining the first hole as the first of the morning’s fourballs arrived at the first tee.
And they did not have long to wait for drama as Paul Azinger, taking the honour of the first shot for the cup holders the United States, dallied over his club choice.
He switched from a two-iron to a three wood and promptly pushed his drive into the rough right of a fairway bunker.
Woods followed and he looked on anxiously as his two-iron sailed into the same fairway bunker.
With Thomas Bjorn safely down the fairway, more trouble was to follow for Woods as he snatched at his bunker shot and then turned angrily to blame an amateur photographer in the crowd. ”Not during my swing. Christ!” snapped the world No 1.
It was just the latest in what has been an unhappy week so far for the American spearhead coming under attack in the tabloids for preferring cash rewards to Ryder Cup glory and snubbing the public by practicing too early in the day.
Woods was effectively out of the hole when he blasted out far too long from a greenside bunker and it was Darren Clarke who put the knife in with a birdie to strike first blood for Europe.
Soon it was two up to Europe as Sergio Garcia, paired with Lee Westwood made par while Americans David Duval and Davis Love could do no better than birdie.
Gracia worked the crowd but there was no hint early on of any anti-American antagonism following the ill-feeling that marred the last contest in Brookline three years ago.
A few Stars and Stripes were unfurled while European fans spurned the blue and gold EU flag for the national colours of Britain, Ireland or Spain. – Sapa-AFP