The European boys are in Kentucky and tuning up for the big face off, and the US are trying to crank up the ante as the Ryder Cup approaches.

Both sides have their form players, and both have their rookies.

Certainly Jim Furyk, one of the most experienced and likeable players in the American ranks, has been there or thereabouts at nearly every tournament on the US circuit over the last few weeks.

And on the opposite side, you can't argue with Padraig Harrington's recent record as he pocketed the winners' cheque in our Open and the US PGA.

As for the greener players, it is certainly a daunting task for Oliver Wilson as a visiting player, but he was played superbly this term and grew up playing US college golf so has plenty of experience on the other side of the pond.

As for the young Americans, the travelling fans will certainly be hoping it is all too much for the likes of Hunter Mahan, JB Holmes and Anthony Kim, but don't bet on it.

Europe are the slight bookies' favourites, but there's not a lot to choose between the sides.

And bizarrely, there's not a lot to choose between the captains either, if only in the fact that neither would have much chance of winning any popularity contest.

Faldo has rubbed up some of his own supporters and officials the wrong way, so goodness knows what the Yanks think of him, and as for the US captain, he was the man about whom Seve Ballesteros said after the 1991 Ryder Cup at Kiawah Island "The Americans were 11 nice guys and Paul Azinger."

If it's a tie, how about settling it with fisticuffs between those two on the 18th green.

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