European captain Mark James had other ideas, though. He pulled the trophy away from his American counterpart, giving both men and their audience a big chuckle.

	European Ryder Cup team members Colin Montgomerie, right, and Sergio Garcia greet fans as they board a bus shortly after arriving at Logan Airport on Monday.

"So much has been made about who's favored. It doesn't matter," Crenshaw said. "Whoever is going to prevail is going to have the feel for this golf course. That is paramount.

"You're talking about a series of 18-hole matches. You do anything you can to prepare, but it's very difficult to predict at all."

A Concorde carrying most of the European team -- some were already in town -- arrived at Logan International Airport at about 10 a.m. ET Monday. They were greeted by Gov. Paul Cellucci and Lt. Gov. Jane Swift, then escorted by state troopers to a waiting bus.

Airport workers crowded the scene, first posing with the supersonic plane that usually lands in Boston only in emergencies -- the last was in 1996 -- then crowding the check-in area for the captains' news conference.

James, Cup in tow, launched into a diplomatic stump speech that belied the importance of golf's most pressure-packed tournament.

"While we would obviously like to bring the trophy home, or retain it, the main purpose is to enjoy the week," James said.

Still, when he was done speaking, James took the Cup away, leaving Crenshaw to answer questions next to an empty pedestal where the trophy had rested.

James said some of his players might "pop up" to the course to get their bearings.

"Take a few putts. Have a look around," he said. "I don't think they'll be doing anything too stressful."

The two teams will play practice rounds on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Play begins in earnest Friday with the first of two days of alternate-shot and best-ball matches.