CHASKA, Minn. -- While play hasnt officially started yet at the Ryder Cup (that comes Friday), there have still been plenty of happenings on the Hazeltine course. Here are a few things you might have missed Thursday:Jedi putt tricks?There are ominous signs, and then theres what happened on the eighth hole Thursday afternoon.After Andy Sullivan of the European team tried unsuccessfully four times to make a 12-foot putt, Rory McIlroy attempted to show him the line -- and he twice missed, too. Thats when David Johnson, a fan in the gallery from North Dakota, offered to show em how to do it.Henrik Stenson pulled Johnson out of the crowd, and then Justin Rose laid a $100 bill on the ground next to his ball, just to increase the pressure. As the crowd grew silent, Johnson rammed his putt into the back of the hole and punctuated it with a celebration that looked like hed just won the Ryder Cup itself. And hey, maybe he destroyed the Europeans confidence just enough that it did the trick. If nothing else, it was definitely an ominous sign for Team Europe. -- Jason SobelRyder Cup 2016: Complete schedule, rosters and formatThe suits have spoken!Even guys wearing Union Jack suits, rooting for the European team, are not fans of Masters champion Danny Willetts brother, Pete, who made disparaging comments about American golf fans.Pete Willett referred to U.S. golf fans as cretins and dim Yanks, as well as a baying mob of imbeciles and a giggling group of reprobates.Hes an idiot, and you can quote me on that, said the man second from the right in this picture:Danny Willett responded to Petes comments, telling Golf Channel this week: Id just like to apologize, obviously, to everyone involved for whats been said. Its obviously not the thoughts of myself and of the team and of captain Darren [Clarke]. -- Michael CollinsNot those shirts again!Ran into three guys -- Joey Burton, Brad Glogowski and Shea Connolly -- at the Ryder Cup. Why did they decide to wear the ugliest shirts in the history of the Ryder Cup? Because they are the uniforms from the 1999 matches, when the Americans made their largest comeback in Cup history. A little karma from that epic rally at Brookline couldnt hurt, right?What might be more amazing is that someone had to seek those designs out, get them made, and actually pay cold, hard cash for them. Style is cyclical, but one can only hope this never comes back into fashion. -- Kevin MaguireThe numbers dont ... tell the whole storyJust how evenly matched are the United States and Europe in the Ryder Cup? In the 18 competitions held since 1979 -- the first year Team Europe was expanded to include all Western European nations beyond just Great Britain and Ireland -- 39 percent of the matches have gone to the 18th hole. Thats 196 times out of 501 matches.?So while Team Europe has obviously dominated the United States recently, winning eight of the past 10 Ryder Cups, it hasnt been quite the blowout the results might suggest. If the Americans had simply played better on one hole, particularly in matches that came to 18 with the teams all square, history might look a lot different.?Interestingly, statistics show the hole that is second-most likely to decide a match is the 16th (20.8 percent of matches end there), and that trend should continue this week at Hazeltine. The 16th at Hazeltine National this week is normally the seventh hole, and when the PGA Championship was played here in 2009, that was still true.?But the 572-yard dogleg par-5 is clearly one of the best risk-reward holes on the course (there is a pond left of the green), and partially for that reason, the course was rerouted so it could play as the 16th. Its also one of the best holes on the course for spectators, and there could be as many as 20,000 people lining both sides of the fairway as matches come to a close.?Now picture Rory McIlroy and Dustin Johnson going for the green in two with a match on the line. If youre looking for drama and excitement this week, Hole 16 is a great stage for both. -- Kevin Van Valkenburg http://www.packersrookiestore.com/Packers-Richard-Rodgers-Jersey/ .2 billion agreement with Rogers Communications for the leagues broadcast and multimedia rights. http://www.packersrookiestore.com/Packers-Ha-Ha-Clinton-Dix-Jersey/ . Woodson said during a radio interview Thursday that the Knicks Carmelo Anthony doesnt get the same calls as other superstars. http://www.packersrookiestore.com/Packers-Jason-Spriggs-Jersey/ . The CFLs leading rusher kept adding to his gaudy numbers this season and scored the winning touchdown with just over two minutes to play. The New Westminster, B.C., native plowed three yards into the end zone for the last score of a heated, see-saw battle between the two teams with the best records in the CFL. http://www.packersrookiestore.com/Packers-Jahri-Evans-Jersey/ . Galatasaray said in a statement on its website Monday that Mancini signed a three-year contract and will be paid 3.5 million euros for the upcoming season, with his salary upped to 4. http://www.packersrookiestore.com/Packers-Davante-Adams-Jersey/ . - The Washington Redskins have cut defensive lineman Adam Carriker and punter Sav Rocca. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- The Baltimore Orioles got on base and Manny Machado drove them in.Machado capped a six-run fourth inning with a grand slam off Jake Odorizzi, leading the Orioles over the Tampa Bay Rays 11-2 on Tuesday night.Guys are getting on base, hitting singles, doubles and doing the little things to give us an opportunity to have that big inning, said Machado, who drove in a fifth run with a single in the eighth. I think people are overlooking how well were executing and hitting in key situations. Things are starting to click for us. Its been fun the last couple of days.Chris Davis and Adam Jones also homered for the Orioles, who entered the day tied for the second wild card and two games behind AL East-leading Toronto, which lost to the New York Yankees.Machados homer was his 34th this season, while Davis got his 35th and Jones got his 26th.When they start talking about MVP, theyve got to start talking about him, too, Orioles manager Buck Showalter said of Machado, who has 90 RBI and 48 multihit games.Odorizzi (9-6) lost for the first time in 10 starts since the All-Star break, giving up seven runs, six hits and three walks over four innings. Machados slam was set up by two walks, a hit batter and J.J. Hardys two-run double.I think you could tell fairly early on that Odo didnt quite have all of his weapons tonight, said Rays manager Kevin Cash. Weve seen him so good here as of late. Tonight, he just didnt have the best feel for the changeup.Yovani Gallardo (5-7) pitched five innings for Baltimore, giving up two runs (one earned) and five hits while striking out five.Jones eighth-inning homer was the Orioles major league-leading 218th of the season, moving them ahead of last years team for second-most ever among Baltimore teams. The 1996 Orioles set the club record with 257.Logan Forsythe led off the Rays first with his 18th homme run, and Kevin Kiermaier extended his hitting streak to 10 games with a single.ddddddddddddOther than not going deeper in the ballgame, I feel pretty good about it, said Gallardo, who won for the second time in his last 13 starts. After giving up that home run to start the ballgame, I was able to make pitches whenever I had to.DAVIS LEAVES GAME EARLYDavis left in the fifth inning with what Showalter described as a sore left palm. Its something hes had for a long time, something he doesnt really like talking about, said Showalter, who will re-evaluate the situation before Wednesdays game.TRAINERS ROOMOrioles: RHP Chris Tillman, who has missed three starts with right shoulder bursitis, will throw a bullpen session in hopes of starting Sundays game at Detroit. Showalter said he will forego a decision on any rotation changes until he is satisfied the 15-game winner is both healthy and effective.Rays: 3B Evan Longoria, hit on the right hand by a pitched ball Monday, started. Its sore, Longoria said. Its OK.NEW VISIONLongoria was surprised at the timing of hitting coach Derek Sheltons firing on Tuesday.As much as I dont like to see Shelty go, Im on board with them making a change and wanting to go in a different direction, Longoria said.Rays minor league hitting coordinator Chad Mottola replaced Shelton.It gives Chad a few extra weeks to get to know our hitters better, Silverman said.UP NEXTOrioles: RHP Dylan Bundy will start Wednesdays series finale. He is 5-3 in eight starts since giving up three home runs in a 5-2 loss at Tropicana Filed on July 17.Rays: LHP Drew Smyly is 4-1 lifetime against the Orioles, but gave up eight runs, including a first-inning grand slam, to Davis in a 12-5 loss at Baltimore on June 26. 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