Players from both teams enjoy the days before competition begins:

Final practice day! Gala was great last night & Opening Ceremony today. @rydercupteamusa is ready...just like our #13thMan fans! THANK YOU!

— Davis Love III (@Love3d) September 27, 2012

Going to take it all in today because tomorrow I'll be laser focused on helping Team #USA get that W!! #LetsDoThis

— Dustin Johnson (@DJohnsonPGA) September 27, 2012

“@alanshipnuck: Is @jasondufner overmarried? You make the call... twitter.com/AlanShipnuck/s…” why would u ever under marry? DUH!!!😆

— Jason Dufner (@JasonDufner) September 27, 2012

The clarke's & Poulter's all dressed up for the gala dinner. Girlies look beautiful. twitter.com/IanJamesPoulte…

— Ian Poulter (@IanJamesPoulter) September 26, 2012

Could have been my most favorite moment of my career today when I walked to the 1st t and heard that crowd Let's go #CHICAGO!

— Keegan Bradley (@Keegan_Bradley) September 26, 2012

Big thanks to Sergio and Paul today for their cash! @graeme_mcdowell and I are very appreciative! #plentymorewherethatcamefrom

— Rory Mcilroy (@McIlroyRory) September 25, 2012

Many of the players wives and girlfriends (WAGs) will be in attendance this week:

Pretty fancy! #RyderCup twitter.com/DianeDonald/st…

— Diane Donald (@DianeDonald) September 27, 2012

What is this?? @mcilroyrory ... Should I be jealous? Lol...;) twitter.com/CaroWozniacki/…

— Caroline Wozniacki (@CaroWozniacki) September 26, 2012

Valentina Molinari and I both wearing @ralphlauren #RyderCup twitter.com/DianeDonald/st…

— Diane Donald (@DianeDonald) September 26, 2012

Having a great day in Chicago with the ladies!!We took a carriage ride downtown. @dianedonald is a fab tour gal!!! twitter.com/kristinstape/s…

— kristin stape (@kristinstape) September 25, 2012

The Euro Wags enjoying some bubbly and the view! #RyderCup twitter.com/DianeDonald/st…

— Diane Donald (@DianeDonald) September 25, 2012

Welcome to Chicago! twitter.com/KateVRose/stat…

— Kate Rose (@KateVRose) September 24, 2012

Will do my best to post lots of useless tidbits 4 u guys this week. Follow my fellow Euro WAG tweeters as well @katevrose & @kristinstape 😃

— Diane Donald (@DianeDonald) September 24, 2012

Celebs and fellow golfers share their Ryder Cup excitement and show their support:

There will be only one Molinari this time but he will be good enough! #goEurope #rydercuptime @f_molinari

— Edoardo Molinari (@DodoMolinari) September 27, 2012

Excited 2 be singing the Anthem at todays @rydercup opening ceremonies! I have my Grandpa in tow...he LOVES golf! Make sure you tune in! :D

— Jordin Sparks (@JordinSparks) September 27, 2012

Which pin should I wear today on @gcmorningdrive ? twitter.com/ANNIKA59/statu…

— Annika Sorenstam (@ANNIKA59) September 27, 2012

Now, THIS is cool... #RyderCup #I'makidinacandystore twitter.com/jtimberlake/st…

— Justin Timberlake(@jtimberlake) September 26, 2012

Thanks to @rydercupteamusa for a great time today. Thanks to all the fans lets get rowdy

— Robbie Gould (@RobbieGould09) September 25, 2012

President Clinton just accepted my $100 bet on the Ryder Cup. Don't let me down @mcilroyrory @lukedonald @ianjamespoulter @westwoodlee ! CNN

— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) September 25, 2012

Landed!! Ryder cup allll week!!! Time for some more golf!!!!

— Michael Phelps (@MichaelPhelps) September 24, 2012

Looking forward to watching the Ryder Cup this week. USA

— Jay Feely (@jayfeely) September 24, 2012

Fans arrive to the course for practice rounds and the U.S. Past Captain/Celebrity Scramble:

There really are no words! We may not be many, but we know how to dress #RyderCup #MorphWouldBeProud instagr.am/p/QFrhb_SHMI/

— Ryder Cup Team EUR (@RyderCupTeamEUR) September 27, 2012

#13thMan cheering on @rydercupteamusa at the 1st tee! #RyderCupinstagr.am/p/QAO6F6yV7V/

— Ryder Cup Team USA (@RyderCupTeamUSA) September 25, 2012

Plenty of European support already lining fairways at Medinah. Check out these strapping young men #RyderCup

- Ryder Cup Team EUR (@RyderCupTeamEUR) September 25, 2012

Scottie and Richard #RyderCup yfrog.com/kh57yjhj

— Rafer Weigel (@RaferWeigel) September 25, 2012

Re-placement caddies for the week if needed!! #RyderCup #TeamEurope moby.to/s6oc44

— Luke Donald (@LukeDonald) September 26, 2012

Both U.S. and Europe team members express their excitement for the week as they arrive in Chigago:

Everyone on the plane to Chicago for RYDER CUP........... Yeh #Avit t.co/cf5XmPOr

— Ian Poulter (@IanJamesPoulter) September 24, 2012

Let's go USA! So pumped for the Ryder Cup. Out at Medina right now!

— Dustin Johnson (@DJohnsonPGA) September 24, 2012

Just landed in Chicago. Enroute to team hotel. To say I'm excited is an understatement. Team get together this evening. #itbegins#Europe

— Graeme McDowell (@Graeme_McDowell) September 24, 2012

Just landed in Chicago!! #RyderCup

Rory McIlroy looks back at his favorite moments from the 2010 Ryder Cup:

Each week, 13 staffers from SI Golf+, Golf Magazine and GOLF.com  vote for  their top 10, awarding 10 points to their first choice and proceeding in descending order to the 10th player, who gets one point. The points are then added and the ranking calculated. This ranking aims to be an of-the-moment measure of who’s playing the best right now. Tell us your top 10 in the comments field below.

RANK (TOTAL VOTES, FIRST PLACE VOTES, LAST WEEK'S RANK)

1. Rory McIlroy (129, 12, 1) - Last three finishes: 1, PGA Championship; T5, WGC-Bridgestone Invitational; T60, British Open
-Official World Golf Ranking: 1

2. Tiger Woods (103, 1, 2) - Last three finishes: T11, PGA Championship; T8, WGC-Bridgestone Invitational; T3, British Open
- Official World Golf Ranking: 3

3. Keegan Bradley (74, 0, 3) - Last three finishes: T3, PGA Championship; 1, WGC-Bridgestone Invitational; T34, British Open
- Official World Golf Ranking: 12

4. Jason Dufner (72, 0, 5) - Last three finishes: T7, Wyndham Championship; T27, PGA Championship; 7, WGC-Bridgestone Invitational
- Official World Golf Ranking: 9

5. Ernie Els (68, 0, 4) - Last three finishes: T48, PGA Championship; T45, WGC-Bridgestone Invitational; MC, RBC Canadian Open
- Official World Golf Ranking: 18

6. Graeme McDowell (55, 0, 6) - Last three finishes: T11, PGA Championship; T24, WGC-Bridgestone Invitational; T5, British Open
- Official World Golf Ranking: 13

7. Webb Simpson (47, 0, 8) - Last three finishes: T22, Wyndham Championship; MC, PGA Championship; T7, The Greenbrier Classic
- Official World Golf Ranking: 5

8. Adam Scott (44, 0, 7) - Last three finishes: T11, PGA Championship; T45, WGC-Bridgestone Invitational; 2, British Open
- Official World Golf Ranking: 6

9. Luke Donald (27, 0, NR) - Last three finishes: T32, PGA Championship; T8, WGC-Bridgestone Invitational; T5, British Open
- Official World Golf Ranking: 2

10. Bubba Watson (24, 0, 10) - Last three finishes: T11, PGA Championship; T19, WGC-Bridgestone Invitational; T23, British Open
- Official World Golf Ranking: 7

Others receiving votes:
Zach Johnson (23)
Sergio Garcia (11)
Justin Rose (11)
Steve Stricker (10)
Lee Westwood (9)
Matt Kuchar (2)
Louis Oosthuizen (2)
Ian Poulter (2)
Jim Furyk (1)

Each week, 14 staffers from SI Golf+, Golf Magazine and GOLF.com  vote for  their top 10, awarding 10 points to their first choice and proceeding in descending order to the 10th player, who gets one point. The points are then added and the ranking calculated. This ranking aims to be an of-the-moment measure of who’s playing the best right now. Tell us your top 10 in the comments field below.

RANK (TOTAL VOTES, FIRST PLACE VOTES, LAST WEEK'S RANK)

1. Tiger Woods (126, 8, 1) - Last three finishes: T3, British Open; MC, The Greenbrier Classic; 1, AT&T National
- Official World Golf Ranking: 2

2. Ernie Els (104, 4, 2) - Last three finishes: MC, RBC Canadian Open; 1, British Open; T52, Scottish Open
- Official World Golf Ranking: 15

3. Webb Simpson (99, 2, 3) - Last three finishes: T7, The Greenbrier Classic; T29, Travelers Championship; 1, U.S. Open Championship
- Official World Golf Ranking: 5

4. Luke Donald (75, 0, 5) - Last three finishes: T5, British Open; T16, Scottish Open; MC, U.S. Open Championship
- Official World Golf Ranking: 1

5. Graeme McDowell (70, 0, 6) - Last three finishes: T5, British Open; T17, ALSTOM Open de France; T16, Irish Open
- Official World Golf Ranking: 11

6. Jason Dufner (68, 0, 4) - Last three finishes: T31, British Open; T4, U.S. Open Championship; 2, Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial
- Official World Golf Ranking: 8

7. Zach Johnson (59, 0, 7) -  Last three finishes: T9, British Open; 1, John Deere Classic; T64, Travelers Championship
- Official World Golf Ranking: 12

8. Adam Scott (40, 0, 8) - Last three finishes: 2, British Open; 3, AT&T National; T15, U.S. Open Championship
- Official World Golf Ranking: 6

9. Lee Westwood (32, 0, 9) - Last three finishes: T45, British Open; T40, ALSTOM Open de France; T10, U.S. Open Championship
- Official World Golf Ranking: 4

10.  Bubba Watson (24, 0, NR) - Last three finishes: T23, British Open; T2, Travelers Championship; MC, U.S. Open Championship
- Official World Golf Ranking: 7

Others receiving votes:
Matt Kuchar (19)
Hunter Mahan (16)
Rory McIlroy (15)
Dustin Johnson (9)
Brandt Snedeker (6)
Fred Couples (2)
Louis Oosthuizen (2)
Rickie Fowler (1)
Padraig Harrington (1)
Geoff Ogilvy (1)

Each week, 14 staffers from SI Golf+, Golf Magazine and GOLF.com  vote for  their top 10, awarding 10 points to their first choice and proceeding in descending order to the 10th player, who gets one point. The points are then added and the ranking calculated. This ranking aims to be an of-the-moment measure of who’s playing the best right now. Tell us your top 10 in the comments field below.

RANK (TOTAL VOTES, FIRST PLACE VOTES, LAST WEEK'S RANK)

1. Tiger Woods (118, 8, 1) - Last three finishes: T3, British Open; MC, The Greenbrier Classic; 1, AT&T National
- Official World Golf Ranking: 2

2. Ernie Els (110, 5, NR) - Last three finishes: 1, British Open; T52, Scottish Open; 9 U.S. Open Championship
- Official World Golf Ranking: 15

3. Webb Simpson (91, 1, 2) - Last three finishes: T7, The Greenbrier Classic; T29, Travelers Championship; 1, U.S. Open Championship
- Official World Golf Ranking: 5

4. Jason Dufner (86, 0, 3) - Last three finishes: T31, British Open; T4, U.S. Open Championship; 2, Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial
- Official World Golf Ranking: 8

5. Luke Donald (69, 0, 6) - Last three finishes: T5, British Open; T16, Scottish Open; MC, U.S. Open
- Official World Golf Ranking: 1

6. Graeme McDowell (64, 0, NR) - Last three finishes: T5, British Open; T17, ALSTOM Open de France; T16, Irish Open
- Official World Golf Ranking: 11

7. Zach Johnson (48, 0, 5) -  Last three finishes: T9, British Open; 1, John Deere Classic; T64, Travelers Championship
- Official World Golf Ranking: 12

8. Adam Scott (39, 0, NR) - 2, British Open; 3, AT&T National; T15, U.S. Open Championship
- Official World Golf Ranking: 6

9. Lee Westwood (30, 0, 4) - Last three finishes: T45, British Open; T40, ALSTOM Open de France; T10, U.S. Open
- Official World Golf Ranking: 4

10. Matt Kuchar (23, 0, 8) - Last three finishes: T9, British Open; T8, Travelers Championship; T27, U.S. Open
-Official World Golf Ranking: 9

Others receiving votes:
Hunter Mahan (17)
Bubba Watson (17)
Rory McIlroy (15)
Dustin Johnson (14)
Y.E. Yang (9)
Rickie Fowler (7)
Brandt Snedeker (6)
Louis Oosthuizen (4)
Fred Couples (1)
Padraig Harrington (1)
Geoff Ogilvy (1)

Who is LeBronold Palmer, you ask? It's actually a "what." Specifically, it's a shoe, according to Jonathan Wall at Yahoo's Devil Ball Golf blog. That's right: King James's new Nike basketball shoe, the "LeBronold Palmer 9 low" is a shout out to The King, Arnold Palmer. Or, at least, a shout-out to a certain delicious canned beverage that shares a name with a professional golfer (an image of the beverage is emblazoned on the insole). Unclear which. LeBron tweeted out a picture of the shoe earlier this week. Drink it in, folks:

A lot about this is hazy, but one thing here is clear: it's impossible to see those shoes and not hear Jan Hammer's synth-y theme to Miami Vice pinging in your head. Welcome to 1986, Miami, prepare to ride a New Wave. Our current over/under on how many pairs Pat Riley will purchase: seven.

Fairway Feud
The Casta del Sol golf course in Mission Viejo, Calif. is usually a quiet place to play the game of kings. Most courses are. But on Thursday things went Royal Rumble in the 18th fairway, as ABC 7 of Los Angeles reports. According to police, that's where Michael Payne picked a fight with the entire foursome ahead of him. The cause? Payne allegedly claimed they were stealing the golf balls he couldn't find:

Investigators accuse the 46-year-old Payne of punching one golfer in the face, then attacking Chambers' friend with a golf club, bashing him on the wrist as the victim tried to leave in a golf cart.

"He got in the cart to go get the marshal and go get help, and then he was chased down by the golfer with a golf club," said Chambers.

Payne then allegedly ran to the hillside.

The wrist looks like the worst injury. His playing partner put it in terms sure to horrify anyone who loves the game: "It's bad enough that he's not going to be golfing here anytime soon."

Tweet of the Day

Between Bubba and Webb, the POY race may wind up being determined by diaper duty.

— Alan Shipnuck (@AlanShipnuck) July 13, 2012