European practiceJohn O'Sullivan watched as the European team gave spectators something to cheer about on a wet day

The desperation was palpable in the thousands of spectators that thronged the barriers around the chipping green and the ensuing intermittent roars that accompanied a holed chip shot. Paul Casey has never had such an appreciative or supportive audience for short-game practice.

Denied access to The K Club initially because of sundry safety issues that accompanied yesterday morning's high winds, the beleaguered fans, initially despaired of seeing any golf.

So when Europe's elite, mummified against the elements, graced first the range and then the 10th tee box they were greeted by a tremulous roar of relief. The spectators had finally struck pay-dirt, at least for nine holes, and were determined to give the players every encouragement.

Europe's captain Ian Woosnam pointed out: "One of the main reasons we came is that you've got 40,000 people here (who) paid a lot of money and wanted to see the golfers.

"I thought it was important we come out to the practice ground, even if we only hit some balls and sign some autographs."

It should be noted that conditions were hardly apocalyptic during the two-and-a-quarter-hour spin around the back nine: strong gusting winds certainly and the occasional shower but nothing that hundreds of thousands of golfers wouldn't have experienced in the monthly medal at some stage.

Woosnam sent out his charges to play foursomes but tweaked the traditional format. Each pair drove the ball off the tee and then played each other's ball. The Welshman explained his decision:

"When it comes down to the foursomes, at least they got a feel for which tee they would like to play off and which iron shot they would like to play into the par threes."

He also gave American captain Tom Lehman a fairly substantial hint as to the likely composition of the European team for the foursomes on Friday afternoon. Sergio Garcia and Luke Donald took on Jose Maria Olazabal and Robert Karlsson with the former partnership likely to make the team sheet.

So too those of Darren Clarke/Lee Westwood and Paul Casey/David Howell, who opposed each other in the middle game, victory going to the English axis.

It's a combination that prospered at the Seve Ballesteros Trophy, winning three points from four, and one that sits well with Howell.

He explained: "We're very comfortable in each other's company, good friends and enjoy playing together."

The Swindon-born golfer stressed the importance of not being in awe of your partner, not being afraid to express yourself and trying to share the responsibility.

The final match pitted another shoo-in pairing of Padraig Harrington and Colin Montgomerie against Paul McGinley and Henrik Stenson. Guess who won the money? Well it wasn't the totems of Europe's Oakland Hills Ryder Cup success.

The good-natured banter was evident in all matches, many autograph wishes were fulfilled but the tournament remains very much in slow-burn mode.

The principal issues that surface daily are largely peripheral to the golf with the possible exception of the weather.

There's also an inkling that talking the talk is becoming a little laborious for the European players and that the first throes of restlessness may be beginning to set in.

The supporters were at least afforded the opportunity to earn a return for their financial investment and see some golf.

Unfortunately that may have come a little late for many judging by the hordes that descended on the merchandising outlets in the tented village.

Still they had got what they came for, a tinge of disappointment perhaps in the fact that it was the abridged version, golf-wise.