2010 Ryder Cup - Rain in Wales? I'm Stunned.

Of course it could rain in Wales in July, or in Peoria for that matter. Still, a late September tee time at Celtic Manor is just asking for a deluge. Too late to move the Ryder Cup, so let's make the best of it. Sir Terry Matthews, Celtic Manor owner and a non-golfer, made good on his desire to bring the event to Wales and his mega-resort. Forget though that it's a target style sort of course diametrically opposed to the innumerable links courses available in the British Isles. Like it's K Club predecessor, it was the dollar signs and the ability to hold 45,000 paying spectators that brought the Cup to this swamp.
  
Oh, the golf so far? It's really too early to tell as the first match of the tourney had only reached the 12th hole after a 7 1/2 hour rain delay. As they stand right now, Westwood/Kaymer 1 up on Mickelson/D. Johnson thru 12. Cink/Kuchar 2 up on McIlroy/McDowell thru 11. Stricker/Woods all square with Poulter/Fisher and Watson/Overton 1 up on Donald/Harrington thru 8. I sensed a decided momentum shift when the players returned from the lengthy break. Down in three matches at the time, the US has rallied to have the lead in two and halved in a third. It will be interesting to see if that continues tomorrow when these initial matches are concluded.  

The captain's won't have the luxury of hiding any players on Saturday as the plan is to complete all fourball and foursomes matches in order to get back on schedule for Sunday's singles. All 24 players will be involved to become heroes or goats. The plan is to finish the first fourball, (best ball), round, then play 6 foursomes matches, (alternate shot), followed by the last 2 foursomes and the last 4 fourball matches. Mother Nature will have the final say in this optimistic undertaking.   

*Average Golfer financial tidbit - Sell your Sun Mountain stock if you haven't already.






Til' next,