Love urges extra Ryder Cup effort

US media lay into Ryder flops

Davis Love says America must target making a better start in the 2006 Ryder Cup if they are to regain the trophy.

Love was part of the US team humbled 18½-9½ by Europe in September. They were down 6½-1½ after the first day.

Love said: "We need to birdie the first hole rather than let them birdie it. We need to win the first match rather than lose it.

"We want to win worse than anyone else wants us to win. We're pressing too hard and not playing good."

Speaking on the eve of the PGA Chrysler Classic, Love admitted he has struggled to put the Ryder Cup defeat behind him.

"It takes a lot out of you when you get beat and you put so much into it," he said.

"You put a year and a half into making the team, and you put so much energy into getting ready, and to get soundly beaten like that deflates you a little bit."

Friday's opening matches included a last-hole loss by Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson.

"I take a lot of responsibility for the way I played on Friday and I think a few other guys do as well," Love said.

"If Tiger and Phil wouldn't have got beat that first match, it would have been a big difference."