A Ryder Cup Miscellany compiled by Paul Gallagher
Odds on Tiger: And evens on cub in match that everyone wants to happen
ANOTHER DAY, another move by a bookmaker. As Paddy Power still dismantle their oversized sign, Ladbrokes were quick off the mark to offer specials on Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods to meet at any stage of the Ryder Cup after they avoided each other in this morning’s fourballs.
McIlroy is offered at 10/1 to face Woods in an individual match. The European rookie is even money to defeat Woods in any foursomes/fourball or individual match, while the world number one is 4/5 for the reverse bet.
The same bookmaker has McIlroy favourite to finish top Irish points scorer at 11/8 with Graeme McDowell 7/4 and Pádraig Harrington 9/4.
Head-to-head betting:McIlroy/Woods
McIlroy to face Woods in an individual match 10/1
McIlroy to beat Woods in team or individual Evs
Woods to beat McIlroy in team or individual 4/5
Top Irish point scorer:Rory McIlroy 11/8, Graeme McDowell 7/4, Pádraig Harrington 9/4 .
WIGS ON THE FIRST TEE TODAY?
Reporter:Will there be more wigs on the first tee tomorrow?
Graeme McDowell:I was thinking about it but maybe not.
Rory McIlroy:I hit a good tee shot with mine on.
McDowell:What do you mean? You've still got it on.
McIlroy:Very good.
Number Crunching
Yesterday we brought you the food; today it’s the staff operating at Celtic Manor
7,000:Staff working on site at Celtic Manor, excluding print and broadcast media
2,500:Catering cadre
95:First aid staff
1,300:Marshals and safety volunteers
300:Car parking and ticket control
300:Cleaning staff
200:Scoreboard operators.
200:Tents, grandstands, electrics, interiors, floral and support services
600:Hotel and clubhouse staff
600:Police
300:Merchandise volunteer staff.
Warming up: The Jimenez way
QUITE HOW many cigars Miguel Angel Jimenez will get through by week's end is anyone's guess, but rest assured he'll enjoy every one of them.
The jovial, wine-quaffing Spaniard simply cannot tell how many will be required for he doesn't know when the sense of occasion will necessitate sparking up.
"I don't know if the number is going to increase or not but I will certainly enjoy them anyway," quipped the pony-tailed one.
"Normally it's just a smoke at the end of the day, followed by one, two three or four more, who knows?
"As soon as I finish (practice) I'm going to start another one. I have breakfast and my stomach has had time to warm up," added the 46-year-old, who misses out this morning's fourballs, before final practice yesterday.
Cracks about Dustin: Super fast driver
BIG-HITTING American Dustin Johnson quickly went in search of a new driver yesterday afternoon after he cracked the club head on the practice range at Celtic Manor.
Johnson’s coach Butch Harmon revealed the news during coverage of the opening ceremony. For equipment buffs, the driver was a Taylor Made Burner Super Fast, 9.5 loft, set open 2 degrees. The 26-year-old reverted to a back-up driver of the same spec. “After bunker issues at Whistling Straits, I thought we were done with cracks about Dustin,” came one quick-fire Tweet. Maybe best to park the jokes right there.
Oil's well in home camp
WHETHER OR not Colin Montgomerie could be considered an oil painting may be open to doubt but there is no denying that the European captain has won fans in the team room this week with the gift (right) he has given the players and vice-captains. News of this came last night in the form of a tweet from US Open champion Graeme McDowell who raved about the "very special gift from Captain Monty and his wife Gaynor. Sixteen oil paintings commissioned for each player and assts."
