How Americans can claim the Cup: Seven must-haves for U.S.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Forget the crystal balls, voodoo dolls, Ouija boards and tea leaves.

Phil Mickelson and Jim Furyk need reasons to smile on the course, too, for the U.S. to reclaim the Ryder Cup. (Getty Images)

For the first time in memory, the Americans are underdogs across the boards on home soil in the Ryder Cup, but there are a handful of ways they can scorch some Bluegrass when the matches begin Friday at Valhalla Golf Club.

These aren't predictions, they are facts. For the Americans to win the Cup for the first time since 1999, there are seven flat-out requisites that don't require the use of soothsayers or sages to see.

1. Stop Sergio Garcia: He's the most annoying player in Ryder Cup history to the American team, and also one of the most successful. The two go hand in hand, really. Garcia is a transcendent 14-4-2 and has routinely slain giants. His record against Phil Mickelson, for instance, is 4-0. He's 3-1 against Tiger Woods. If you want to kill a snake, cut off its head. Garcia has been so brilliant, especially in the two-man formats, he's the new focal point now that Colin Montgomerie is no longer on the team.

2. Start fast, for once: If is feels like the U.S. has been swimming upstream for the past few years, there's a reason. The Americans haven't led after the first day of play since 1991. In fact, Europe has won the morning wave of Friday team competition in each of the past four meetings by a staggering 11½-4½ margin overall. For the Americans, emerging with a 2-2 tie after the morning session would represent a moral victory.

3. Engage the crowd: As Kentucky native Kenny Perry put it, fans here are "starved for golf" because the state doesn't have a regular tour stop. Azinger reaffirmed Wednesday that he's very seriously considering leading off with the tandem of J.B. Holmes and Perry, the two homegrown guys, which could possibly ignite the locals even further. "Right now, that's what makes sense," Azinger said Wednesday. Couldn't agree more. As for the other American players, show some emotion. Have some fun. React.

4. Wake up Mickelson and Jim Furyk: Clearly the senior stewards on the U.S. ship, this pair has flopped badly at the Ryder over the years despite the fact they have spent much of the decade inside the top five in the world rankings. Furyk is 6-12-2, with a dismal 3-10-1 mark in the two-man formats. Lefty is 9-12-4 and doesn't have a winning record in any of the three Ryder formats. With untested six rookies on the U.S. team, if these two don't shine, it could be a long weekend.

5. Close the deal: In matches staged between 1985 and 2006, the U.S. has routinely folded when the tension was at its worst. In that period, in matches decided on the 18th hole, Europe has claimed 43 wins and the U.S. 26. That margin is as unpalatable as it is hard to fathom. To pull off the upset this week, the Americans need to finish what they start.

6. Riding the Ryder rookies: The American side has six rookies, as least as it relates to Ryder experience. Azinger indicated Wednesday that all 12 U.S. players will tee it up on Friday in one of the two sessions, which means he'll get a good look at who among the first-timers is handling the pressure and playing the best. He'll need to identify the best three or four quickly, then ride them the rest of the way and hope for the best.

7. Tiger who? The reigning world No. 1 is watching from his couch in Orlando, which means the Americans have been presented with an odd and awkward opportunity here. For years, players have complained privately that Woods is too often the center of attention at tour events, that the accomplishments of others get overlooked. Fair enough. Then step up and deliver the goods in his absence.