Less than a day later, the agony of defeat was etched all over the face of Curtis Strange, the bitter disappointment clearly detectable in the eyes of Ben Crenshaw.

Ryder Cup blues were still very much in evidence as ten of golf's elite -- nine of them Americans -- made their way onto the Mid Ocean Club practice range in preparation for today's $600,000 Merrill Lynch Shoot-out.

Europe's stunning come-from-behind victory on one of the most dramatic days of golf ever witnessed was playing on everyone's mind.

And no matter how much enthusiasm Strange, Crenshaw and Pavin -- the Shoot-out's three Ryder Cup stars -- wanted to direct towards today's event it was obvious their thoughts were elsewhere.

Was the pain any easier to bear after a night's sleep? "No, no, not at all,'' sighed Strange, whose loss to Nick Faldo in the singles, having led one-up with two holes remaining, has been cited by many as Sunday's crucial turning point.

"It's tough. It's not easy to get over, and you shouldn't. There's no reason to get over it overnight, it has to hurt.

"We just didn't play very well yesterday and I didn't finish very well. It was disappointing. I'm very disappointed at the way I played, just my swing and some of the shots I played. You have 11 team-mates and a captain that you feel for.

"I really feel for Lanny (Wadkins). He did such a tremendous job. He did everything he could...we just didn't play well (Sunday).'' It was an equally reflective Ben Crenshaw who made his way onto the Tucker's Town range yesterday morning, having flown in with Strange and Pavin just an hour earlier.

"The defeat...it's going to be with us for a good while,'' noted the amiable Texan. "Obviously all of us will replay our rounds and think of situations which we might have handled differently.

"But I still come away from the matches thinking they (Europe) did more things than us, meaning they got good saves when they got into trouble, they made big putts when they needed to. That's what keeps you in match play, good putts.

"In my case I putted lousy, real lousy, although I was happy with the way I hit the ball. I kept the ball in play which is the hardest thing to do at Oak Hill.

"But then with the putting, I just caught a spell when I started guessing at the speed and the line, and I just didn't make a thing.

"In talking to other players on the team I think we all agree their ability to hole putts when they needed to was the big difference.'' Crenshaw, perhaps the most experienced of the American team, admitted the pressure, at times, was almost unbearable.

"I can tell you that when I played with Curtis on the first day in foursomes, I'd never been so keyed up on a golf course. You know, the Ryder Cup has gotten so big now, it's such a great competition, the pressures are unbelievable. I was as emotionally keyed up as I've ever been. I couldn't wait to get started.

"You've just got to take your hat off to their side. They came into Rochester and adapted to a very tough American golf course that was so different from the way they play golf. It's heavy rough, and it's just not close to the links type of course.'' While the pill might have been difficult to swallow, both Strange, Crenshaw and others were insistent yesterday that Sunday's drama will only benefit golf, and in particular the Ryder Cup, in years ahead.

"I have to admit it was a magnificent day for golf,'' conceded Strange. "I really believe as much as you don't want to lose, as bad as you feel today, it will make '97 that much bigger in Spain. I truly believe that now, and I think we'll be ready.'' Noted Crenshaw: "It's been a very, very big boost for golf. The competition has always been close since they added Europe. And that competition is even bigger now.'' American Payne Stewart, forced to watch the weekend action on TV, was also philosophical.

"If America had won, that would have been three times in a row and the interest in the Ryder Cup would have lost some of its momentum,'' said Stewart. "It's so equal on both sides of the pond. (Sunday) was Europe's turn and I think that's good for golf.'' Of his own absence, he added: "You always want to be involved. It's hard to sit back and watch on television. But believe me I want to be on that plane to Spain in two years' time.'' With a purse of $600,000, and a cheque for $150,000 awaiting the winner, today's Shoot-out might just help soothe some of the Americans' wounds. Even the first to fall under the event's sudden-death elimination picks up a handy $40,000.

But besides the cash, it's the fun format which apparently makes the Shoot-out such an end-of-season favourite.

"It's probably the best thing that could happen to me at this time,'' smiled Strange. "I won't go home and sulk. There'll be enough time for sulking and beating myself up later.

"It's nice to come somewhere like Bermuda and get away from the pressure.'' Australian Brett Ogle, the only non-American in the field and a firm favourite after his visit last year, arrived early on the weekend and plans on spending a few days relaxing.

"I've always wanted to come back since last year,'' he admitted. "But Merrill Lynch left it to the last minute this time. I only got my flight organised last Tuesday.

"I love these kind of events towards the end of the year -- the Tour needs it, a bit of fun instead of the serious stuff. And this has got to be the perfect place...'' Today's event is scheduled to start at 11.00 a.m. with a field which collectively has earned more than $50 million in prizemoney on the PGA Tour.

Defending champion Pavin is joined by Crenshaw, Ogle, Craig Stadler and Scott Hoch, all of whom played at Mid Ocean last year, with Strange, Stewart, Tour rookie Woody Austin, Kenny Perry, and Mark O'Meara, a late replacement of Peter Jacobsen, rounding out the field.

Under the format the golfers all tee off together on the first hole. The player with the highest score is eliminated. If two or more players share the high score they then face a `shoot-out' which could come by way of a long putt, chip, or bunker shot. The player whose ball finishes furthest away from the hole bows out, and the contest continues over nine holes until only two remain.

Last year's final saw Pavin beat Stadler on a shoot-out at the final hole after both had parred Mid Ocean's 18th.

In a one-shot competition for a $40,000 annuity, played on Mid Ocean's par three 203 yard 17th yesterday, Hoch took the honours with a five iron to 29 feet six inches. Next closest was Stewart who put his ball within 34 feet, and Pavin (35 feet, six inches).

Ogle, Crenshaw, Strange and Perry all missed the green.

Photos by David Skinner PAYNE-LESS -- Tour veteran Payne Stewart lightens the mood on Mid Ocean's 17th after hitting what he thought was the winning shot during yesterday's closest-to-the-pin contest. But, much to his frustration, the tape measure showed Scott Hoch's effort to be marginally closer.

CUP CASUALTIES -- Ben Crenshaw (left) and Curtis Strange were yesterday left reflecting on what might have been after Sunday's painful Ryder Cup loss to the Europeans.