Just a few days to go until the first tee shot is hit in the 2010 Ryder Cup, at the beautiful Twenty Ten Course at Celtic Manor. Some of the European players started to arrive on Sunday: Ian Poulter has already been posting pictures on his Twitter page, showing his official Ryder Cup personalised ball markers and pitch repairers, ready for the tournament ahead. Whether they're young Ryder Cup rookies, such as the Italian Molinari brothers, or seasoned Ryder Cup players such as Padraig Harrington, the tension will be rising as the team talk tactics with Captain Colin Montgomerie, and his backroom staff - Darren Clarke, Paul McGinley, Thomas Bjorn and Sergio Garcia. Between them, they've played 23 Ryder Cups, so there's lots of experience to inspire and motivate the players - hopefully, that expertise will brush off on the dozen men who will be taking on the United States later this week...
So, a look at the week ahead and what to expect? At 0800hrs (GMT+1), Tuesday, both teams will take to the fairways for their first official practice rounds of the week.They'll be honing their rounds and familiarising themselves with every nuance of the course Wednesday and Thursday, before the tournament begins in earnest on Friday morning, with the first Fourball matches teeing off at 0745hrs.
On Wednesday evening, after he's enjoyed a visit to the Celtic Manor Resort, HIs Royal Highness the Prince of Wales will be hosting a dinner for both Teams at Cardiff Castle. Then, all the players will head to the spectacular Millenium Stadium in Cardiff for the 'Welcome to Wales' concert, a celebration of the cultural heritage of this British Principality. And, it's Thursday that the real personality of the competition will begin to take shape, as the Opening Ceremony sees the official introduction of the teams and the Captains making their motivational speeches. If you can't be there, why not join us here at the official Canali Ryder Cup site as the week unfolds ... we'll be bringing you exclusive pictures and reports from the fairways - as well as some of the fun behind the scenes.
26/09/2010 17:49
The teams are arriving...
There really are no words to describe the euphoria that swept the fairways of Celtic Manor this afternoon, as Colin Montgomerie’s embattled men reclaimed the Samuel Ryder Cup as their own. As the sun shone brightly over the picturesque Usk Valley, this lush pocket of south Wales saw a groundswell of European pride emerging from the sodden earth. The air was filled with raw emotion as complete strangers hugged and patted each other on the back. Tears streamed down the cheeks of grown men, who cheered with booming voices, and mothers clung to bewildered children who knew only that they had never before seen anything like this – and may never do so again.
History is being made in this, the 38th Ryder Cup. For some, they’ll be delighted this event is going down in the record books: for others, they might prefer to banish the memories and move on....
For the fans, the key lesson from yesterday’s shenanigans was to think carefully about their attire so they could survive the sporting marathon. The merchandise pavilion in the tented village has virtually sold out of waterproof gear, and supplies of the official Ryder Cup umbrellas were gone before a ball was hit in anger. So, spectators came prepared in all manner of garb, to show their allegiances, while somehow keeping dry and warm.
As European Team Captain Colin Montgomerie’s predecessor, Sir Nick Faldo waved goodbye to the Ryder Cup in the Kentucky sunshine two years ago, and quipped: “See you in Wales – and bring your waterproofs.”
While the US and European Teams battle it out on the fairways at Celtic Manor, one newlywed couple in the crowd is flying the flag for both teams ....
