More than a week after Justin Leonard's 45-foot putt curled into the hole to all but secure an emotional American victory in the Ryder Cup, the dust still hadn't settled.

On the range, on the practice green, in the bar and out on the course, it remained a hot topic of conversation among golf's elite as they gathered at Mid Ocean Club yesterday in preparation for today's $1.95 million Gillette Tour Challenge Championship.

And nobody, it seems, was without an opinion, whether it related to the American fightback, one of the most stirring in sports history, or the far more controversial subject of crowd behaviour.

Tom Watson and Nick Price, two of the most respected names in golf, agreed it had been an astonishing contest, yet they concurred the antics of some of those behind the ropes was "unforgiveable'' (see story below).

John Daly was less damning. "It's the Ryder Cup. It's what you expect,'' said the man whose own escapades on and off the course have raised the odd eyebrow.

And then there was Jim Furyk, the only player in today's 24-strong field who actually experienced the heat of last week's battle in Brookline.

"Never again in my career will I probably accomplish something like that with another group of people,'' said the 29-year-old whose crushing four and three victory over European teen sensation Sergio Garcia proved pivotal in the US triumph.

"It was exciting, it was great, something I'll never forget, but I guess it's now time to put it behind me and get ready for the rest of the year.'' And the row that followed? Furyk, who arrived in Bermuda last Friday having not touched a club since his defeat of Garcia, gave a shrug of the shoulders, almost lost for words.

"I think it would have been nice if we hadn't celebrated so early on the 17th green,'' he said, referring to the invasion of US players after Leonard's putt dropped -- a celebration widely criticised by the European team as their own Jose Maria Olazabal still had chance to halve the hole.

"But, other than that, I don't think America has anything to apologise for.

The fans are one of the big reasons we won. Out of every 100 people, wherever you are, 99 are great people and then there's a character who drags the rest down.

"If I rifle back and say it was the same at Valderrama (1997), then I sound like a terrible person. There were definitely some unfortunate incidents.

Colin Montgomerie took a lot of abuse, and he's really not that bad a person, so I feel for him.

"But, I really don't know, because I wasn't on the receiving end. From what I saw the fans were very respectful.'' Daly, who launched yet another comeback at last week's Buick Challenge, following news that he was drinking again (only, he insists, in moderation) and his contract with club makers Callaway had been severed, has yet to experience a Ryder Cup.

And he jokingly concedes, that unless he plays his way onto the team, he probably never will.

"I figure I'm going to have to get in on points, I'm too crazy to be a captain,'' he laughed. "When I'm 60 maybe they'll consider me. But, yeah, it's something I'd like to shoot for.

"Last week reminded me of the US hockey team beating Russia, Absolutely awesome. It was great to see the American team come together like that.'' And the crowds? Fun-loving Daly admitted those wild scenes behind the ropes were just up his alley.

"That's my kind of golf, I love the fans going crazy, that's the way I've always loved them and always will. Maybe a lot of guys just aren't used to it, but when we go over to the Belfry in a couple of years' time, I imagine it's going to be the same thing.

"The fans in Europe can be pretty boisterous too.'' Top gun: Big-hitting John Daly makes his second visit to Mid Ocean Club after topping this year's Gillette money-list.

Good to be back: Michelle McGann, who with Lee Trevino and Jim Furyk won last year's event, and regular visitor Scott Hoch both appeared in high spirits during yesterday's Pro-Am.