I was on the first tee before 7 a.m. today, and at almost 7 exactly, the European fans started their ``Ole-Ole" song, with American fans trying to then drown them out with chants of ``U-S-A."

Think these guys get nervous on the first tee of the Ryder Cup? Jim Furyk and Graeme McDowell both snap-hooked their drives.

And by the second hole of that first match, we had our first contentiousness. McDowell's tee shot came to rest in front of a sprinkler head. He asked for relief. Furyk told him it was a ``20-80" proposition at best, while McDowell and his partner, Rory McIlroy, argued that it was a 50-50 call.

The rules official did not give McDowell relief, and, after an indifferent chip, the US won the hole on Brandt Snedeker's par putt.

The Europeans seemed disappointed that Furyk would question their complaint. Someone in the group said, ``We've been friends a long time." Furyk told them, ``It's my responsibility as someone playing against you" to question the unwillingness to play from that lie.

The morning is foursomes matches, or alternate shot. At the moment, the US is up one hole in the first two matches. The US players have placed a great deal of importance on getting off to a good start to win crowd support.

Let me tell you, it's crowded and loud here. Hazeltine will be a great scene when the Cup comes to Minnesota in four years.

-I'll be on 1500espn at 2:05 today from Medinah.