Golf Update: Ryder Cup 2010- Europe stole the show in the first round of four balls as rain poured down at Celtic Manor
As predicted, Europe is in the lead from the first day and this excellent start has been initiated by the world number three, Lee Westwood.
Despite terrible weather conditions at Celtic Wales, the European team started with an amazing start. Westwood along with Kaymer took the reins in their hands and gave a strong jerk to Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson. While the duo was
still in the lead, the match got terminated owing to terrible weather conditions on the course.
Play had to be suspended at 9:45am after the heavy consecutive rain fall left many parts of the Twenty Ten course under water, despite the best efforts of the green keeping staff.
The scenario was wet from the start, as the first fairway was already covered in water and the conditions became even worse when the sand traps and bunkers got full of water giving an impression of small lakes. There were large puddles on the greens and
it became increasingly dangerous for the players to continue making a shot in such conditions. Talking to the press, the European vice-captain Darren Clarke said,
"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."
Clarke was right but a sudden roar came from the 45000 spectators who showed up in their rain suits to witness the American side which was in blue rain coats and their names stitched on their backs. The only player whose back was clear was Tiger Woods. As
the horn blew, the crowd started to scatter and the players moved to the club house to shed off the tough start.
European players were in relevant better conditions as they were accustomed to the overcast weather. Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer were two up on Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson in the first match after five holes and this explained the advantage of being
at home.
Lee Westwood was the least expected player as he was out of competitive golf scenario since six weeks but when he birdied the second hole and managed to equal the par from the water filled bunker he stole the show. Resultantly he was already two up. In
the next match, Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy were one up on Stewart Cink and Matt Kuchar after four holes. Once again, the Americans sunk despite Stewart Cink’s birdie on the second hole. Europeans took the lead with one point with the help of two victories
at the first and fourth with pars.
The third match was between the duo of Ian Poulter and Ross Fisher, Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker. The American side won only one match when Tiger made a birdie at the second hole and Steve responded with a long birdie putt on the third. By the end of
the match, Europe was one up. Against all odds, Tiger did a great job.
The only pair that turned out to be a sigh of relief was that of the rookies. Bubba Watson and Jeff Overton rose two up against Padraig Harrington and Luke Donald. Overton initiated the lead with the help of a birdie from the green and Watson birdied the
second hole to claim the victory. It took two hours for the players to wrap up the session but it was worthwhile.
Europe is in the lead after the first day of the four balls. Lee Westwood put up a splendid show whereas Watson and Overton from the American side fought the rain and the challenging course with great wit. Home advantage is the edge which the European side
is enjoying at the present moment; however, there are some negligible chances that Americans might turn the story upside down.
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