Apparently the American public takes less interest events like this than other countries do. There's also a team tennis event and the American team underperforms there too. I'm so apathetic to that event that I can't even remember its name!
So the Americans on the Ryder cup team apparently are mirroring their sporting public's disinterest in the event.
There was a LOT more interest here in the Olympics, as shown by how NBC dominated the ratings during those 2 weeks. Correspondingly, the Americans had a very successful showing in Athens.
Anyhow - the Americans tend to fall behind at the Ryder Cup and then make a comeback towards the end. So beware.
EDITED to add: I just remembered, the international tennis tournament is the DAVIS CUP, and I see it will be held in just 7 days from now.