Thankfully the extreme weather conditions which rampaged across the country last night have abated by first light and Ireland's first staging of the Ryder Cup is set to get under way on schedule at 8.00am.

Already masses of spectators were queuing at the park and ride arrival terminal hoping to get through security in time to witness the first tee shots. And they will be tee shots worth seeing as Ireland's own Padraig Harrington and Colin Montgomerie are pitted against the two best players in the world in Tiger Woods and Jim Furyk in the top fourball match.

Both captains opted for strength from the off and this top pairing certainly fits the billing. The bottom match is the other glamour tie of the morning series of matches with Darren Clarke and Lee Westwood set to take on Phil Mickelson and Chris DiMarco at 8.45am.

In between American wild card pick Stewart Cink and rookie JJ Henry will take on the big-hitting pair of Paul Casey and his rookie partner Robert Karlsson (8.15am).

The third match (8.30am) sees an all-Spanish affair of Sergio Garcia and Ryder Cup veteran Jose Maria Olazabal against David Toms and the second American rookie on show, Brett Wetterich.

The gale-force winds from last night caused havoc with many parts of Ireland losing electricity and flooding in certain parts.

At the K Club more branches and trees fell on site and some of the tented village areas threatened to be uprooted. Thankfully, all is now in order and emerging, unspoilt blue skies suggest the weather gods could be kind for the opening morning's play.

Gardai have advised motorists who are traveling on the N4 from Dublin to Leixlip, to use the Celbridge Interchange instead of the slip road after the Spa Hotel.

This afternoons foursomes pairings will be announced upon completion of the fourball matches around lunchtime.