Golf:The waiting is almost over, today's final practice session is under way and in less than 24 hours the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor will begin – weather permitting of course.
Perhaps Colin Montgomerie likes to give his troops a lie in of a morning for as the Europeans finished their breakfast, Corey Pavin’s men had already taken to the Twenty Ten Course.
Monty also opted for a later start for Wednesday’s practice session due to the poor weather conditions.
Today’s forecast is favourable with the Usk Valley expected to remain dry before the rain moves in by evening. The forecast for tomorrow remains a concern as it’s expected to be the worst day of the week with severe weather warnings issued for high winds and driving rain. It means the prospect of this Ryder Cup spilling over into a Monday finish remains a real possibility.
On-course conditions are still holding up extremely well inside the ropes, but for spectators it’s a much more precarious undertaking. Already the walkways have become sodden and turned muddy brown, and this is before the masses descend on Celtic Manor for the real action of the week.
This final practice session is the last chance for spectators to bring their cameras and phones on site as full restrictions will be in place from tomorrow.
As for today’s running order on the course, Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson and Rickie were first onto the course from the first tee at 8.30am as Pavin opted to play threeballs. They were followed by Bubba Watson, Jeff Overton and Hunter Mahan.
Tiger Woods, Jim, Furyk and Steve Stricker teed it up together, while Zach Johnson, Stewart Cink and Matt Kuchar were in the final group.
When Monty’s men set off from the 11th at approximately 10am, it will be Luke Donald, Martin Kaymer, Edoardo Molinari and Francesco Molinari – playing together for the third straight day – in the first fourball.
Pádraig Harrington will be joined by Graeme McDowell, Ross Fisher and Ian Poulter, while Rory McIlroy, Lee Westwood, Miguel Angel Jimenez and Peter Hanson complete the European set.
The opening ceremony gets under way from 3.30pm where both captains will reveal their pairings ahead of tomorrow’s action.
Thursday's practice tee-times
EUROPE(From the 11th tee)
10am:Luke Donald, Martin Kaymer, Edoardo Molinari and Francesco Molinari
10.15am:Ross Fisher, Pádraig Harrington, Graeme McDowell, Ian Poulter
10.30am:Peter Hanson, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Rory McIlroy, Lee Westwood
UNITED STATES(From the 1st tee)
8.30amDustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson and Rickie Fowler
8.40amBubba Watson, Jeff Overton and Hunter Mahan
8.50amTiger Woods, Jim Furyk and Steve Stricker
9am:Zach Johnson, Stewart Cink and Matt Kuchar