Azinger outthought, outplanned, and outmanouevred [Ed.- Uh...sic?] Nick Faldo to mastermind this American victory. His four wild cards all delivered, none more so than Mahan, who was unbeaten in four matches.

His pairings were a revelation, he got the order spot-on in the singles, and managed to rouse Phil Mickelson, despite yesterday’s drubbing from Justin Rose. [Ed.- Rose drubbed Mick today, and they hadn't played previously but please, go on...]

It was a model example of controlled and intelligent captaincy from Azinger — a total contrast to the frenzied efforts of his old sparring partner Faldo.

The European captain seemed determined to leave his own mark on this match and he will certainly go down as the man who got it all wrong.

I, for one, wish the British sporting media would quit mincing their words and just come right out and say what they think.

Anthony Kim got the Americans off to a fantastic start, putting away a lackluster Sergio Garcia in just 14 holes. Hunter Mahan followed up with his third straight halved match after winning his first two matches for 3.5 huge points. The other winners on the American side were Kenny Perry, Boo Weekly, JB Holmes, Jim Furyk, Ben Curtis, and Chad Campbell. Huge credit has to go to the final two who many viewed as sacrificial lambs against Westwood and Paddy respectively.

One last time now...BOOOOOOOOOOOO!

USA 16.5 - 11.5 Europe

The Sun UK

Video update...

Original Video- More videos at TinyPic

Wacky southerners.

Sox and Dawgs

12:03 PM: Kim vs. Garcia- Perhaps the day's most intriguing match between an emerging American star, brimming with confidence, against the most dominant Ryder Cup performer since the EU joined the competition.

12:14 PM: Mahan vs. Casey- Hunter Mahan has been a point-producing machine in his first Cup while Casey filled that role for the Euros two years ago. The Americans will need this one to lock up a crucial early point.

12:25 PM: Leonard vs. Karlsson- The Texan's putter has caught fire and he's finally winning some matches (remember, the famous putt in '99 was for the halve).

12:36 PM: Mickelson vs. Rose- Another huge match early in the afternoon between the Americans' top player and a European who will not back down.

12:47 PM: Perry vs. Stenson- This is what Perry has been dreaming about for years. Hell, this is the reason he skipped the British Open. The Kentuckian wants the Ryder Cup more than anything, I just hope he doesn't put too much pressure on himself.

12:58 PM: Weekley vs. Wilson- It's the country boy against the well schooled young Brit. Soon they will have a sitcom that nobody watches.

1:09 PM: Holmes vs. Hansen- Another Kentuckian who would love to pick up a point for his country. I'd settle for the halve.

1:20 PM: Furyk vs. Jimenez- Two veterans who are loaded with experience in all sorts of competition. If the Americans get a point out of this match, they'll be in great shape.

1:31 PM: Cink vs. McDowell- The Northern Irishman is an accomplished match play performer and he has plenty of experience with southern Americans after winning the college player of the year award at UAB.

1:42 PM: Stricker vs. Poulter- Faldo's controversial captain's selection has been a dominant presence for the European squad, and a win over a strong American like Stricker would surely vindicate the captain.

1:53 PM: Curtis vs. Westwood- I really hope we build up a big lead.

2:04 PM: Campbell vs. Harrington- Seriously, it needs to be over before this match makes the turn.

• Holmes/Weekly vs. Westwood/Hansen- The Boo Weekly show has taken over Louisville, Kentucky. The Ryder Cup rookie has had the crowd on its feet booing with joy all afternoon as he and (John) Holmes are dormie with two holes to play. Update: Boo and and the porn star have just ended Westwood's unbeaten streak. 8-5 United States.

• Curtis/Stricker vs. García/Casey- The odd pairing of Curtis and Stricker is playing quite a bit better this time around and they've managed to hang with their strong European opponents all afternoon. The two sides have matched putt for putt, including a rather loud and dramatic exchange between Garcia and Stricker early in the match, and they remain all square after 14 holes.

• Furyk/Perry vs. Poulter/McDowell- The strong US pairing has not been able to hold off McDowell or Nick Faldo's bff, Ian Poulter. The English golfer was one of Faldo's criticized captain's selections and he will be the only European to play in each session during the event. So far he's making the captain look pretty smart, this pairing has a slight one hole edge over their counterparts with plenty of golf left to play.

• Mickelson/Mahan vs. Stenson/Karlsson- So far the Americans are holding off the Swedes by the narrowest of margins. We know Mahan can keep it in the fairway off the tee, and if Mickelson can join him in the short grass they should get through the next six holes.

The one win for the US came from the Furyk-Perry duo who dispatched of Harrington-Karlson 3&1 The most surprising result of the morning came when the Mickelson-Kim fell 2&1 to Henrik Stenson and somebody named Oliver Wilson. As much as I love that belt buckle I'm going to have to insist that Kim switches back into the AK for the afternoon. Not that the loss was his fault, FIGJAM couldn't hit a fucking fairway all morning. After the morning session the US leads 7-5.

• Holmes/Weekly vs. Westwood/Hansen- Boo Weekly is so damn southern he even makes some of the Kentuckians nervous. Regardless, he's teamed up with one and they're taking on a pair led by Lee Westwood who has been none too happy with Weekly's raucous personality. BOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

• Curtis/Stricker vs. García/Casey- Sergio has always been close to unbeatable in the Ryder Cup and Paul Casey was a perfect 4-0 at the '06 competition, but he's already lost in his one match this year. The American pair would do well to earn a halve here, it's a half-point that could make all the difference in the end.

• Furyk/Perry vs. Poulter/McDowell- This American pair has earned 1.5 points so far, and they'll need to add another one in this matchup. The Euro side won't be easy to beat so both guys will have to go low this afternoon.

• Mickelson/Mahan vs. Stenson/Karlsson- So much for that Mickelson-Kim pairing. Still, Mahan is a good partner for FIGJAM in this format. They better not fuck this up against those gargantuan Swedes.

As you can see Anthony Kim and Justin Leonard will be sitting this afternoon despite their standout play thus far. If I had my way they'd be in there for Curtis and Stricker. But for some reason those fuckers never let me be captain.

Play is underway in the morning's alternate shot event and for some inexplicable reason Faldo has benched his top two performers in Sergio Garcia and Lee Westwood. Casual fans might not think it's such a big deal, but this is the Ryder Cup, and when it comes to this competition Garcia is not only the best in the world, but possibly the best of all time. As for Westwood, the Englishman is the most experienced and consistent performer on Faldo's roster having extended his unbeaten streak to twelve matches after yesterday's two halves only to be relegated to spectator status.

Regardless of Faldo's asinine lineup decisions, the European team remains a formidable opponent going in to today's action. All four foursomes are underway at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky with each team holding leads in two of the matches.

The top European duo of Ian Poulter and Justin Rose are continuing to tear through the golf course, currently holding a 5 up lead after just seven holes against Stewart Cink and Chad Campbell. Meanwhile the pairing of Miguel Angel Jimenez and Graeme McDowell hold the slightest of leads over the strong American duo of Justin Leonard and Hunter Mahan.

Mickelson and Kim are actually up three holes early on in the day for a change of pace, and they should have little trouble earning a full point for the Americans. Similarly Jim Furyk and native Kentuckian Kenny Perry find themselves 3 up against the European pair of Paddy Harrington and Robert Karlsson.

The action will be going all day on NBC and I'll be back with periodic updates. If you've never had the pleasure of watching the Ryder Cup I'd suggest tuning in to take a look. What you will see is far more entertaining than your average golf tournament. Hell, it doesn't even need Tiger.

Marcel will be taking you through all of the rest of the day, so be sure to send your tips to unsilentmajority@gmail.com or marcelmutoni@gmail.com.