Golf: Wet start for Ryder Cup

As had been predicted, the weather was awful at Celtic Manor as Colin Montgomerie's European team set out against the Americans.

That didn't stop fans - 50,000 were heading for the Newport venue - piling into the huge grandstand at the first tee from 6.00am onwards.

But, half an hour before the first of the fourballs was due to tee off, it was announced that preferred lies would be in use for the morning play.

The players involved in the opening session practised under floodlights - and umbrellas!

The rain which arrived hadn't been as heavy or persistent overnight than had been feared earlier in the week.

But, just after 7.00am, it started to pour down, making conditions far from pleasant for either the players or fans.

Ten minutes before play started greenkeeping staff were out with squeegees clearing puddles of water on the first fairway.

Lee Westwood, out in the opening European pairing with Martin Kaymer, said before heading to the first tee that he hoped the home players would be able to cope better in such conditions.

But he admitted: "On a day like this it's all about trying to get two balls in play."

The 2,000 seats in the stadium-style stand at the first tee had been long filled by 7.30am, and Sergio Garcia, one of Monty's vice-captains, whipped fans up into a frenzy as he made an appearance.

But it was nothing like the cheer that greeted Westwood and Kaymer when they came down over the adjacent bridge from the putting green for their 7.45am tee time.

It was Dustin Johnson who was given the honour of hitting the event's opening blow - and one of the five rookies in Corey Pavin's side missed the fairway by a fair bit.

Wearing golf gloves on both hands, partner Phil Mickelson safely found the fairway, as did world No.?3 Westwood and USPGA champion Kaymer.

Log on to www.scotsman.com/sportfor Cup updates throughout the competition.