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Golf Digest, Sept, 2001 by John Hawkins, Tim Rosaforte

Ken Brown (European vice captain): Everyone on our side was tired, but Parnevik looked the worst. He looked like he'd been through a spin drier.

Ten Broeck: He had this blank look in his eyes. He had trouble focusing. He was just worn out.

James: I've played in all five matches at the Ryder Cup before, and I've managed all right. Admittedly, the pressure these days is greater. Yeah, guys do get tired. That's part of the equation. I wasn't flying blind.

Julie Crenshaw: I remember Katherine got into an accident on the way to the golf course. Her driver hit a little boy. She came to the first tee shaking. The boy was OK, but it was still a bad experience. She had that doe-eyed look on her face, and then she burst out crying. We sent her back to the clubhouse until she felt ready to go out. I said, "Well, go follow Justin. He's a good Texan." She ended up walking with Justin the whole time.

The momentum shifts

From the outset, the U.S. took command of the singles, winning 28 holes and losing just four in the early stages. As the final match left the first tee, the rout showed no signs of subsiding. America's top-heavy lineup was decimating the weary Europeans, turning the left side of the scoreboard into a blaze of Old Glory.

Lehman: I was nervous, being first off. So I go to the first tee and they're singing the national anthem, which loosened me up. It was a nice way to meet the day. On the right side, all the European fans were singing "Ole," that typical song you hear when they're getting drunk.

Brown: The atmosphere was fine, or at least no different from the previous days. It became apparent fairly early how the cards were going to be dealt. The first five matches were all lost very early. Suddenly we were one behind, not four in front.

Duval: We didn't just turn the momentum a little bit. We turned it a lotta bit.

Sutton: First hole, I hit the green about 20 feet left and [Clarke] misses 25 yards right. I'm thinking all I have to do is two-putt to win the hole--and he holes the chip. I'm like, "That's fine. No big deal." I walk off the green and Bruce Lietzke is there. I said, "Bruce, I've been down in every match after the first hole. This is perfect." Next hole, I make a 15-footer to get even. I was like 3 up after six.

Mickelson: I felt bad for Jarmo, Van de Velde and Coltart, because they'd played some great golf throughout the year to make the team, then didn't get the chance to showcase their abilities.

Lawrie: In the team room Friday night, James apologized to the three guys who hadn't played that day and said, "I'm really sorry, but it doesn't look like you'll play tomorrow. We're doing well. I don't want to break anybody up." There was silence. Then Jarmo says, "That's OK, but if you don't play me Sunday [mandatory for singles play], I'll be really pissed." Broke up the entire room.

Coltart: I got an amazing reception on the first tee. The great thing about match play is, you can tell a lot about your opponent by the way he acts before you tee off. I wasn't going to let Tiger see me hiding. I wanted to stride out there, chin up, chest out. "I'm here to win, mate. I want to play you."