Ryder Cup delays point to Monday finish says Monty
For the first time in its history, the Ryder Cup looks likely to run on until Monday, after a deluge of rain meant the opening day's play was suspended earlier today.
A torrential downfall meant play was suspended at 9:45 after just two hours of play, while an announcement regarding the resumption of play, originally due at midday, has since been pushed back - first until 1.00 and now until 2:00 this afternoon.
But in the face of continuing delays, European captain Colin Montgomerie believes the tournament will almost certainly overrun now.
Speaking to reporters at Celtic Manor, the Scot explained: "Both captains were offered an opportunity to say what they felt about the conditions, and yes I wanted to stay on in a perfect world but at the same time there was nothing we could do. Hopefully the spectators understood our decision that there was nothing we could do but call it off. The sun's supposed to shine at 1.30."
"We have another very important deadline coming up at 1.00 [that deadline has since passed] meaning that we can start at 1.45 and that would mean that we can make up the lost four hours on Sunday morning. That's how tight we are right now. If we don't start at 1:45, we're not finishing on Sunday. That's the way it's looking right now."
Commenting on Europe's early lead - the Europeans are leading in three of the four matches, albeit after only a few holes - Monty said: "My team room's obviously happier than our opponents right now. The last game of course [Bubba Watson and Jeff Overton are 2up on Padraig Harrington and Luke Donald] if you're going to lose holes you're better off losing them early, and that's what Luke and Padraig have done, to two very good birdies."
"I think Ross Fisher did particularly well with Ian, Ian's pumped up for this, to play Tiger. And Lee's swinging the club particularly well right now, he's winning the holes. They've got off to a great start. Lee hasn't played in seven weeks, and competitive golf is normally vital going into these competitions, but he's been playing and he's been practicing hard, and playing match play golf, he's right up for the battle here."
Meanwhile, it's emerged that the US team in action earlier this morning might have been at a significant disadvantage compared to their hosts; apparently the team's waterproofs absorb the water, making them heavier than their European counterparts.
It seems officials from the PGA of America have resorted to buying new suits from the merchandise tent at Celtic Manor. Asked for his thoughts on that development, Europe's Ian Poulter made a Herculean effort not to smirk as he commented: "Ours are keeping us nice and dry, that's all I can say."
The rainfall hasn't dampened Rory McIlroy's spirits however; the Ulsterman, who had previously appeared somewhat ambivalent about the Ryder Cup, declared of his initiation: "I've never experienced anything like that at a golf tournament before," and admitted: "I was just happy to make contact with the ball."
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