"All of this conviviality and pleasantness simply can’t go on."

Phillip Reid files an entertaining story on Monday's U.S. team arrival and Monty/Pavin press conference.

All of this conviviality and pleasantness simply can’t go on. Colin Montgomerie, the Europe captain, and Corey Pavin, his equivalent on the US team who are defending the Ryder Cup, were singing off the same hymn sheet as a palsy-walsy act yesterday kick-started the build-up to the match here at Celtic Manor resort on the outskirts of Newport. At one point, Pavin even leaned across to rescue a stray hair from Monty’s shoulder.

So much for those memories of Pavin with a camouflage hat from the “War on the Shore” at Kiawah Island back in 1991. At this rate, we could have a love-in of mutual respect; let’s hope it is all a “phoney war” before the real thing, for the Ryder Cup – of all events – needs passion.

Yesterday, Team USA – with a number of players descending the plane at Cardiff Airport wearing sunglasses despite the grey, overcast skies – flew in with the world rankings telling us that four of the team are ranked in the top-five of the latest world rankings and some bookmakers already paying out on a Europe win. Go figure that!