PRESIDENTS CUP NOTEBOOK

updated 8:53 p.m. ET Sept. 23, 2005

GAINESVILLE, Va. - When Michael Campbell missed a crucial 8-foot putt at the 17th hole, the crowd cheered. When the New Zealander hit a chip at the 18th that could have won his match, someone in the gallery yelled “Don’t go in!”

The rowdiness was nowhere close to Ryder Cup levels Friday at the Presidents Cup, but usual golf etiquette took a bit of a dive — especially after a one-hour, 20-minute rain delay in the afternoon, during which some fans appeared to have spent too much time at the beverage stalls.

“Obviously there must have been some beer factor in there,” U.S. player Fred Funk said.

U.S. captain Jack Nicklaus was concerned more about the lack of appreciation given to the International players before the delay. Nicklaus walked up to people in the galleries at various times to express his displeasure.

“I said ‘Hey guys, you can root if you want to for the American team, I think that’s fine, but when the International team hits a good shot, I think they deserve a round of applause in appreciation,”’ Nicklaus said. “Nick O’Hern hit about a 25-footer at 8 today and you could almost here a pin drop. I didn’t like that at all.”

Nicklaus realizes he takes the matter more seriously than most — he even wishes the fans would behave better when he goes to football games at his alma mater, Ohio State.

“I love going to Ohio State, but I cannot stand when they boo the opposing team when they run onto the field,” Nicklaus said. “It drives me insane. To me, not basically appreciating what the other team is doing is not the spirit (International captain) Gary (Player) and I want to see in the matches. I don’t think it was terrible today, but I think we could be better.”

Later in the day, Vijay Singh stared down some fans for their reaction after he missed a 10-foot putt at the ninth hole.

Campbell, however, said he wasn’t bothered by the hecklers.

Presidents Cup U.S. 18.5, Internationals 15.5 DiMarco's dramatic birdie lifts U.S. Notebook: 1 more Cup for Couples Golf.com: Final results Golf.com: More coverage

“That’s human nature,” the reigning U.S. Open champion said. “That’s normal, wherever you go. If you played in Australia or South Africa, it would have been the same thing if Americans missed a putt. That’s all part of the game over here in America. I know it’s very vocal at times. You’ve got to accept that as a player. ... If you hear the heckling in the crowd — like this guy said to me ‘Miss the putt’ — it’s pretty unfair, but it got me revved up.”

A turtle named Funk
It’s been 17 years since Fred Funk was the golf coach at the University of Maryland, but you’d never know it by following him around at the President Cup.

Shouts of “Go Terps!” and “Fear the Turtle!” greeted Funk at every hole. Funk, his wife or his caddie seemed to know by name at least a half-dozen people in any given section of the gallery. Funk waved more than the Queen of England at a royal parade.

“This is cool,” Funk said. “I really do pinch myself to realize where I’ve come from. To obtain some of the things I have obtained out here is pretty cool.”

Funk is the local favorite any time he plays in the Maryland or D.C. area, but he says fans call out the “Terps” and “Turtle” greetings when he plays in other parts of the country, too. Even though he now lives in Florida, he isn’t surprised by the loyalty. He was born in Takoma Park, Md., and went to high school not far from the University of Maryland’s campus in College Park.

Slide show   Week in Sports Pictures   Pain on the skating rink, flying high on the hardwood, upsets on the football field, and more. more photos

“I was almost born a Terp,” he said.

Hit by a Tiger
Give spectator Steve Cagle of Battle Creek, Mich., an assist to Tiger Woods and Jim Furyk in their match against Stuart Appleby and Mark Hensby.

On the first hole, Woods’ drive was headed hard right until it bounced off Cagle’s left shoulder and into the middle of the fairway.

Woods walked over to Cagle and rewarded him with an autographed glove, then went on to score par to give his team a 1-up lead.

Asked if it stings to be on the receiving end of a drive by Woods, Cagle simply nodded: “It caught me flush,” he said.

MORE FROM GOLF

Golf Section Front

McPherson leads Tour Championship Westwood wins Dubai tourney, money titles Brooks wins Pebble Beach Invitational Peter Senior wins Champions Tour Q-school Latest golf videos Latest player news, rumors and more Tracking Tiger: News, features and more Tiger's triumphs: Recapping all Woods' wins Vote: When will Tiger win his 15th major? Vote, discuss: Best major of 2009? Golf Section Front   Add Golf headlines to your news reader: