Ryder Cup washout as play is suspended after rain leaves course waterlogged

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER


Damp: Europe's Martin Kaymer on the third hole during the opening round of the Ryder Cup in Newport


The huge build-up has seen the players serenaded by Katherine Jenkins and enjoy the company of royalty, but Britain's good old-fashioned weather put a stop to the Ryder Cup this morning.

Torrential rain left the manicured greens at Celtic Manor in South Wales drenched and play was halted after just two hours at 9.45am as the ground became utterly waterlogged.

Groundstaff had battled to keep the course playable as the world's finest golfers began to tee off but despite their best efforts, they had to troop back in before mid-morning.


Fruitless: Ground staff desperately try to clear water from the fairways at Celtic Manor


There was laughter amid the disappointment as Europe Ross Fisher's first tee shot ended with the ball caught in an umbrella - the first time ever it is thought to have happened in a top event.

The suspension will be a huge blow to the tens of thousands of fans who have flocked to the Welsh course to witness the clash between the cream of the golfing circuit.


Still smiling: Phil Mickelson's wife Amy (right) shelters under an umbrella


Wilting: Five men dressed as daffodils look less than sunny as they watch from the stands


Muffled up: U.S. captain Corey Pavin's wife Lisa and other WAGs gather in the rain


There was already standing water on the first fairway before the opening shots were struck at 7.45am and two more hours of rain left large puddles on the greens and the bunkers.

Tiger Woods was among the players to set out this morning but they all looked miserable as they huddled under umbrellas, heavily wrapped up in wet weather gear.

Europe captain Colin Montgomerie had rain pouring down his face as he tried to keep his team on track in the early stages of what is the most fascinating competition in golf's calendar.


Still stylish: Two U.S. wags on the fairway before play was suspended


Support: Corey Pavin's wife Lisa and Phil Mickelson's wife Amy both sported dark hats to keep the rain off


His deputy Darren Clarke said this morning: 'It's a tough call with all these people here and everyone watching but I think it's the right call. It's going to be a little while before we're back out here.'

Teammate Luke Donald added: 'If it was an ordinary event, we would not even have started. It's a shame but there is nothing we can do about it.

'Most of the fairways were all casual [under casual water] and if you had to drop it, it would be in the rough.'

Lee Westwood said: 'It's most disappointing for everyone associated with Celtric Manor and the people of Wales, They've been waiting 10 years and the weather has spoilt it a bit.'


Battling the conditions: Europe's Ross Fisher in action in the rain this morning


Caught: Ross Fisher reaches out to collect his ball after it got stuck in a spectator's umbrella


Covered up: Wags of the European players were top to toe in wet weather gear as they drover around


Gloomy: Grey skies darken the course as USA's Dustin Johnson hits the first ball


There seemed to be little prospect of a swift resumption in play with an announcement scheduled for noon, by which time it is hoped the fairways might have dried out slightly.


It could be the start of a very difficult weekend, with forecasters predicting rain for much of Britain throughout today and into Saturday and Sunday.

A Monday finish for the first time in the history of the contest has long been mooted, and European Tour chief referee John Paramor admitted it was part of a back-up plan.

He said: 'We do have some spare time on Sunday morning -a bout four hours as a back-up, and we do have Monday as a contingency.'

'The forecast is for the rain finishing early afternoon and we feel at midday we will have a better idea of when that rain will be through.

'This morning was pretty rough but all the players were keen to get going, so we did. It deteriorated to such an extent that I contacted both captains and said 'What do you think?'

'They both said 'It's your call' and I said I was not happy about continuing play. It had deteriorated to such an extent that it was not really fair.'


Soggy: Europe captain Colin Montgomerie is literally dripping with rain (left) and taking cover (right)


No let-up: Montgomerie gazes at the skies as rain pummels down during the first fourball


It never rains...: Tiger Woods looks dejected as he takes cover under an umbrella


In early play, Westwood and German Martin Kaymer were in the first group of fourballs and reached the fifth hole before play was suspended.


Taking a break: Paddy Harrington relaxing in the changing room


They pulled ahead of veteran Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson, as did Northern Irish pair Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy against Stewart Cink and Matt Kuchar.

Tiger Woods, playing in the third group, made it to the third hole with Steve Stricker. They are facing colourful dresser Ian Poulter and rookie Ross Fisher.

Fourth pairing Luke Donald and Padraig Harrington are taking on U.S. newcomers Jeff Overton and Bubba Watson.

Europe are 8/13 favourites to win back the trophy they lost at Valhalla two years ago and stormed into an early lead thanks to Colin Montgomerie's early heavyweights.
Montgomerie is desperate to clinch a win for Europe after defeat in Louisville under Nick Faldo's leadership two years ago.

For the man who has an unbeaten record in singles matches for eight appearances in the Ryder Cup, it is hoped he can inspire Europe to similar heights - if the weather breaks, of course...


Early pacesetter: Europe's Graeme McDowell celebrates going one up in the fourth in the rain


Montgomerie actually warned about holding the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor at this time of year, two years ago.

When fog held up the start of the Welsh Open at the same spot in 2008, he said: 'There's a river here and the temperature between rivers and land causes fog. There could be delays here.

'We have a problem obviously here and we just pray that Him upstairs is good to us.'
Asked whether the match should last four days and start on a Thursday, he said: 'I think everybody benefits. It's an extra day of advertising, an extra day of television.

'It would make sense really when you think about it. I think it's almost got to that stage where two rounds a day, we all seem to be rushing around, packing it in, for what reason, really?

'I've been running around changing rooms in Ryder Cups and trying to get new clothes and stuff and socks and shoes after I've been soaked in the morning and having to do it again in the afternoon. For what reason?'

The 2006 match in Ireland had some torrential rain, but it never suspended play.
'We risked it in Ireland,' Montgomerie said. 'I was with (chief referee) John Paramor first out and he said 'this is 10 minutes away from stopping'.'

The last time a match was badly affected was Valderrama in 1997, but it still managed to finish on Sunday evening - just as the heavens opened again.

The 1983 Ryder Cup was in mid-October, but that was Florida. You have to go back to 1965 at Royal Birkdale for the last match to be in October on this side of the Atlantic.






source: dailymail