The first shots in the psychological war leading into the Ryder Cup have been fired with European Team captain, Jose Maria Olazabal having to defend a decision in allowing his team to travel seperately to Medinah.

Only three members – Francesco Molinari, Nicolas Colsaerts and Paul Lawrie – travelled Monday on the special charter flight from London’s Heathrow Airport to Chicago’s Rockford Airport.

Of course, the other nine members of Olazabal’s team where either competing in the Tour Championship or are now living in the States.

The Ryder Cup arrives in Chicago carried by Jose Maria Olazabal and with vice-captain’s Miguel Angel Jimenez and Darren Clarke in attendance. (Photo – www.rydercup.com)

However that didn’t stop Olazabal being quizzed on the subject.

The first salvo the Spaniard had to deflect dealt with missing out on ‘team bonding’ on the flight over the Atlantic.

“Well, I don’t see that as a disadvantage to be honest,” said Olazabal.

“We have had a good time; the three players, the two vice captains and myself, had a good time. We have always been a close team, and in that regard, we have been in touch through the phone talking to the players, and they are going to be all there by the time I get to the hotel today, they are going to be all there.

“We are going to have a relaxing time and we’ll chat together, and we will create that bond that you are talking about.  And in that regard, I don’t see that I’m just behind it at all.

“We do have three more days ahead of us before the tournament starts, so it’s plenty of time. They know each other really well.

“By instance, when you look at the last couple weeks, Francesco and Nicola and Martin played together, Peter Hanson was there, so we’ve been close, even though we didn’t flew together on the plane.”

Earlier Europe’s Captain had been asked if he felt it ‘strange’ that only three of his team boarded the Chicago-bound flight.

Again, Olazabal defended the move.

“Well, it feels a little strange, but there’s no surprise,” he said.

“There was only a few players on that flight, and the rest of the guys, five of them, were playing last week, and the rest have a house or have a place here in the States.

“So obviously, you know, it was very logical for them to stay here and just make the trip from their homes here to Chicago, to Medinah. The trip has been really smooth.  We had a little chat before jumping on the plane.

“We had a good time during the flight.  So everyone is relaxed so far.”

So the Ryder Cup is underway!