Deja P.u.

Colin Montgomerie explained the secret to the Europeans' success: "We're damn good." There were players who didn't make the European team-- Thomas Bjorn, Justin Rose, Carl Pettersson, Ian Poulter--who, if they had been on the other side, would have formed the core of the U.S. squad.

The Europeans putt better than the Americans. Making putts in a Ryder Cup is like making free throws in college basketball. If your coach makes you feel good about yourself, you make foul shots, and putts. If your coach makes you uptight, you don't. Lehman was a dignified and thoughtful captain, but no matter how hard he tried--maybe because of how hard he tried--everything the U.S. team did, including its dorm-room pranks, came off as grim and calculated. Meanwhile, Woosnam simply sent his boys out and let them play.

Pro's Picks Redux

In SI's special Ryder Cup Preview (Sept. 19) an anonymous PGA Tour pro rated players and captains on their ability to perform under pressure. Here's how he rates them now.

[This article contains a table. Please see hardcopy of magazine or PDF.]

U.S. PRESSURE INDEX KEY

--Wants last shot--like Mike

--Be happy that he's on your side

--Sometimes a hero

--Calling Dr. Phil