Am I wrong for being pissed at him for shaking his head everytime Boo tries to get the crowd involved? He has not done anything to disrupt play or any playing partners. Sergio has done the same thing for years.

You are not, Lee evidently didn't particularly like a little of his (since he has played with Sergio a ton during the Cup) own medicine. Tough nuts for him.

I've been thinking the same thing. I find it hilarious though.. seems crazy to be mad that he is getting excited.

I think he got too excited and drove his teeshot at 18th into water... now that's a real booooooo...

I think its probably a bit more complicated than that. My suspision is Lee has a hard time with the Country Boy image that Boo is, and plays up to some extent. Don't get me wrong, I like Boo, but in my experience traveling abroad, many Europeans would find this endearing, but have a hard time with prolonged periods of the loud (dare I say it) ugly American.

A real Boo boo if you will...

Well, since you bring that up. I have met Boo before, and he is a class act and as nice as he can be. I have many Euro friends, particularly British and Scottish, and can promise you they are much more "loud" (dare I say) ugly. I attended the Ryder Cup at the K club and the crowd was great, dont get me wrong, but definitely realized their advantage and fully played into it. The players, Sergio specifically, really played it up to the crowd. Turnaround is fairplay in my book.

Completely and totally agree. Westwood is getting to see the shoe on the other foot. Perhaps he won't be as smug about Garcia's actions in the future.

Certainly turnaround is fair play. I'm sure some of this is Westwood looking on thinking oh crap, this just stinks, not dwelling on the whether its fair play, and I'd be surprised if he thought it was unfair.


I don't disagree with you about others being loud as well, and I did not imply that Boo is not a nice guy. But I'd be surprised if any European in that situation, which is tough spot to be in, did not think - Ugly American, even if they liked the guy bringing the crowd into it.

Good for Boo! Sergio and Jesper did it for years.

I think it is great for a change that the Americans are into it and having fun. I was so tired of their "business man" approach over the last many years. I think ever since Leonards putt in 99 they have been "afraid" to have any fun and let emotion out. I have enjoyed watching the Euro's paly like that for years - get over it Westwood!

I think that this started at Brookline by the American players,and it is time for it to stop.

Golf is a gentleman's game and Bobby Jones and the great players of the past would turn in their graves.

There is some excuse if the crowd get rowdy,but when used as the 13th man that is beyond sportsmanship.

I am English and I live in Miami Beach and I hope that the USA win.

But do it on merit,not by making the crowd hostile to the Europeans.

The above is the reason I did not bother going to watch the matches live.

Because before long,there will be fights breaking out.

Let the great shots be remembered and do not give the Europeans any excuses.

I respectfully disagree 100%. I certainly don't think they are making the crowd hostile towards the Euro's..... This happens on the otherside of the pond as well. That is why they switch every 2 years. As long as no one in the crowd is rude to the other players, cheer your team as much as you want! That is what makes this event great.

The Euros are cracking me up. Westwood with yet more smugness in talking about Weekley on GC....."I wouldn't do it myself"......yeah, but you'll stand around and smirk when Garcia does.

Give. Me. A. Break.

Have you ever been to a Ryder Cup in Europe? It's wayyyyyyyyyy more hostile over there than it is here. Yes, the Americans went pretty crazy in 1999, but until today, you haven't seen any emotion since then. It's kind of hard to take what you said seriously since you are from England, but aren't pulling for Europe. That says something. Oh, and living in Miami you should be used to hostile crowds. I used to live there. Go 'Canes!!

Yep! Sour grapes already and it's only day one. You would think Westwood has never watched some of his own teammates.

I like Europe, but seriously......They hoot, holler and jump around and it is ok. The US does the same and they say "ugly American"......

Sour grapes, indeed.

Apparently Faldo noticed it too as Lee and Sergio are benched for the morning rounds; WOW!!!!!! Faldo must have stumbled into a field of Kentucky's finest and decided to try some!

I don't get that move by Faldo. You cannot convince me that the Euros are better off without Sergio and Westwood out there.

I can barely believe it! They both account for like 30 points or something in their careers in the Ryder Cup. Wow. Why would he do that?!

I think it is a smart move by Nick...nothing like being sent to ride the pines to get you motivated. On Lee Westwood and being upset about the USA behavior...get over it. You fostered it for years with Sergio.

I don't agree that the Ryder Cup is more hostile in Europe for one bit. Sure the crowds make a lot of noise and unfortunately do at times cheer bad shots by the Americans (however I never recall a European Captain encouraging the fans to cheer bad shots like Azinger did at the start of the week http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/robhodgetts/200...part_three.html), but to say they are hostile is flat out wrong just as it would be for me to say that American crowds are hostile (apart from Brookline).

Perhaps and I can imagine that I will get shot down for this one but the last time that Westwood would've seen anything like this from the Americans was at Brookline and clearly that will bring up bad memories not only for Westwood but all proper golf fans as well.

From a personal stand point I did think at points that Boo was getting too excited too early which may create a problem by Sunday afternoon. You can understand him doing all his stuff if it was Sunday, my only question is what will he be like by Sunday afternoon? If the emotion goes up which it will, it may get to the point where his actions may encourage a small minority of people to go nuts like Brookline and I don't think that any wants to see that again.

However having said that I think that this is a discussion where there is simply no way that people are going to come to agreement. For example if it were Sergio who was jumping around like a kid as he has been known to do, most of the Euro's on the forum would probably back him up, exactly the same way American's will back up Boo.

Oh and as a bit of an aside, if anyone clicks on the link above, can you come up with any reason as to why Azinger is lifting Kim's t-shirt up like that... It just strikes me as being, well a bit odd!

OH POPPYCOCK!

I am a fan of both Westwood and Boo (you-know-who) and I find the contention between them entertaining.

Boo is a backwoods American.

Lee is a semi-backwoods Euro.

Gamesmanship is everything in the Ryder Cup. Game on!

Cheers,

Ben

Exactly I think if it was anything it was entertaining. Watching the redneck ramp up the crowds and watching the guy with down synd....ehm sorry Lee Westwood get a pissy face everytime he did it.

Hey Lee I sent you some cheese to go with that whine!

Some good insights about the hostility in general! I disagree that the crowd was hostile at Brookline. They were definitely out of line running on the green before Jose putted but hostile? How so? I am just glad it is competitive.

I'm all for the cheering good shots and getting behind your team, it creates a real vibe but......
Was it Brookline when Payne was playing Monty in the singles?
The behaviour of the crowd towards Colin that day was not acceptable. The language being used towards him actually upset his father to the point he walked off of the course, and even Payne started to get people thrown out because he found it unacceptable too.
I think Payne stated that he gave monty the putt on the final green because he was so ashamed of how the guy had been treated during the round. (I'm sure you will but correct me if i've got my facts slightly wrong)
Payne was an absolute gentleman and showed such class that day, he was and is a true role model for golfers.

And yes i'm cheering for Europe, but you guys deserve to be infront, your playing the better golf and kicking our butts!

Well, I've never been to a Ryder Cup, neither this side of the pond, nor in the US, so I cannot comment on how the crowds really are here or there. But I have to say this: "U-S-A, U-S-A, U-S-A" sounds a lot more aggressive and martial then "Olééé Olé Olé Oléééééé!"
Doesn't it?
Good to see the US finally be competitive again. I was afraid, they might lose interest in the event, if they got beaten again.

At Brookline marshals deliberately misled Andrew Coltart about where his ball landed when playing God in the singles. The crowd overall were hostile and nasty and that does not happen in Europe.

As far as Boo and Westie are concerned, I think Lee objected most to Boo inciting the crowd when it was Europe's turn to play.

But the US team is deservedly in front, playing some great golf. I think they can partly thank Tiger's knee for that. It has allowed them to become a more homogeneous team, and allowed mick to assume a leadership role.

Azinger comes off as a prick in my opinion. Deep down inside i dont think he would mind having a hostile crowd against the euros, and wouldnt mind a replay of Brookline.

In a interview in oct.08 version of Golf Monthly he stated : "The fans in Kentucky can be the 13th man, they are rabid fans that understand rivalrly. They serve alcohol there so anything is possible"

This and the whole boo when euros miss a put and everything just gives me a sour taste in my mouth.


If it wasnt for Azinger i would be neutral, but gotta root for the euros and hope they steal his chance of holding the trophy high.

all I can say is if I sold crying towels I could get rich

as for Europe does not do that have you ever seen the crowds at a Euro Football game

I hope the USA gets louder and louder


Hell I was screaming in my den

Ken

Sometimes you make a good point, other times you miss the point entirely. OK, occasionally you make a good point, but normally, as here, you miss the point.

This is not a football game. Behaviour which is appropriate at a football game is not appropriate at golf.

And I really don't want to know what makes you scream in your dungeon den, thanks, even if you were talking about golf.

How this can be compared to crowds in a football match is beyond me

Boo is awesome!! I agree that the european's woop the crowd up so it's nice to see the Americans do it too, it's actually really good to seem them have the upper hand we will now see what the European's are made of..

P.S... How FAR does J.B.Holmes hit his driver!?! Wow!

My comment is not worth getting suspended over. There are too many emotional countrymen on this topic.

Totally agree with that, comparing it to football is simply a way to try and prove a point and yes fair enough football crowds can be crazy but by the same taken I can now compare it to cricket. Where basically the crowd sits down for 8 hours and doesn't really do much of anything apart from clapping occasionaly and giving the odd cheer when a streaker appears.

Both comparisons simply don't make sense so there is no real point in making them.

I really don't mind Boo's behavior if that turns him on. I think for some it may be just a little annoying to watch it over and over and over again after each good shot. I've never seen anyone in soccer, tennis or any other sport doing it multiple times. Once, twice sure, why not. I don't really care as long as it doesn't offend the other team.

Day 2 at Valhalla is about to begin. Let's hope for some good golf.

The Europeans are some wheenie crybabies.. Just play golf! (or quit playing and join the stupid choir chanting Ole Ole Ole.. )

I'm gonna watch all day and buy myself some Kentucky Fried Nick Chicken for lunch... USA! USA! USA!

My thoughts exactly...





Too Bad if he thinks that way. In my opinion that would be worse than being upset with the crowd...that would be like Boo thinking that some of these Euros are pompous(i'm better than you!) jerks.

I am missing nothing when the US looses everyone says they have no spirit they are poor team mates when they are winning

they need to make a little noise .

The more the fans cheer the louder they get the more I like it. Go USA

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

I honestly think the players could care less if the fans are chanting USA, USA...that's simply part of the game, and it should be. The problem IMO is the comments coming from the crowd. I heard that Westwood recieved several nasty comments early on in the round, and probably still is (reported from the on-course commentators). Soren Hansen just flew the green on a par 3, and you could hear a number of sarcastic comments from the crowd...seriously, show some class

SHOW SOME CLASS... POULTER HAS TO FIST PUMP IN FRONT OF EVERYONE
WHEN HE MAKES A BOGEY PUTT... show some class.

...so a fist pump after you hole an important putt is the same as yelling nasty comments?

It happens on both sides of the pond this is the Ryder Cup we have the home field advantage live with it.

Johnny Miller just said and I quote " the only way he can miss this one is too push it pull it or misread it"

Now I am not one to rag Miller but Duhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Johnny

All I can say is: GOOOOOOOO EURO GUYSSSSSSSSSSSS

Let's kick a** and forget about the Booooooo's and the Zinger's out there

Who cares?

Westwood is a great match player.....I'm interested in the golf.


This is how/why I'd get pissed:

Westwood/Weekley match.....

someone in the crowd starts heckling Westwood.......

if Boo isn't at the ropes in that heckler's face in two shakes to shut him up, then I'd really be pissed.....at us (U.S.)

That's just false!!! I remember that complaint coming up at the time and thinking what a load of BS. There was a small army looking for that ball. The wheels were already coming off for them when this happened. Do you really think Coltart was going to topple Tiger? Why even bring that up?

As far as the crowds here, I don't think that this would've ever become this bad if not for the example set in Europe when they finally started winning. This was always attended and cheered for by respectful golf fans in the US and viewed a nice little exhibition...but, of course, we were always winning it. Before 1991, a missed Euro putt would never have been cheered. When it seemed as though the "soccer hooligan" crowd became well represented over there at the Belfry in '89, we took the same approach at the "War on the Shore" in '91...and now look at what we have. I think 1991 was the first time it was ever televised live. Of course, if it hadn't become this, it may still be shown as tape delayed highlights voiced over by Ben Wright late at night on USA Network.

EXACTLY. And unfortunately, Weekly did NOT do anything of the sort. The problem is that it is very likely that Weekly does not even REALIZE that he should.

Tim