Brolly poor show: Europe captain Colin Montgomerie struggles to hold on as he battles the elements
Weather chaos at the Ryder Cup has forced the first format change in more than 40 years in a bid to avoid a dreaded Monday finish.
More than seven hours of play were lost due to incessant rain at Celtic Manor yesterday and organisers have decided to reduce the number of series played from five to four.
Although the Ryder Cup will still be decided over 28 points, the change means that every player is now guarenteed at least three matches. Once the first series of four fourballs are completed this morning, six foursomes will be played, followed by two foursomes and four fourballs
Weather permitting, it is hoped the competition will be back on schedule by mid-morning tomorrow and the 12 singles can go ahead as planned.
After seeing his side finish the day down in two matches and ahead in only one, Monty backed his players to use the new format to their advantage.
'Given the strength of my side I found it very difficult having to leave four players out anyway, so I'm happy with the change,' he said.
Rain, rain, go away: The 18th fairway is criss-crossed with tracks of water
It would have been even worse for Europe had Ian Poulter not holed a monster putt on the 10th hole as darkness fell, so that he and Ross Fisher finished their match against Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker all square with eight to play.
'What a roar went up when that putt went in but that's Ian for you, he's given us a huge boost and hopefully a bit of that will carry over into the morning,' said Monty.
The Americans had been down in three matches and up in one when play was stopped for seven hours at 9.45am. Their spirited fightback took the heat off what had happened earlier, when they were reduced to a laughing stock.
Two hours' play in the morning rain was enough for the visitors to discover their waterproofs didn't repel water and their golf bags leaked.
Standing room only: The flooded spectator area of the 18th fairway after heavy rainfall
Embarrassed PGA of America officials were forced to go to the merchandise tent and buy proper waterproof gear for 24 players and caddies at £350 each.
Paul Azinger, US captain last time, labelled it a 'disaster' but at least accident-prone American skipper Corey Pavin, who forgot to mention Stewart Cink when introducing his team to the crowd at the opening ceremony on Thursday, could not be blamed.
This time it was his colourful wife Lisa, referred to as the captainess by her husband, who was presumably culpable, since she was in charge of the team's wardrobe..
Damp: Europe's Martin Kaymer on the third hole during the opening round of the Ryder Cup in Newport
The huge build-up has seen the players serenaded by Katherine Jenkins and enjoy the company of royalty, but Britain's good old-fashioned weather put a stop to the Ryder Cup this morning.
Torrential rain left the manicured greens at Celtic Manor in South Wales drenched and play was halted after just two hours at 9.45am as the ground became utterly waterlogged.
Groundstaff had battled to keep the course playable as the world's finest golfers began to tee off but despite their best efforts, they had to troop back in before mid-morning.
Fruitless: Ground staff desperately try to clear water from the fairways at Celtic Manor
There was laughter amid the disappointment as Europe Ross Fisher's first tee shot ended with the ball caught in an umbrella - the first time ever it is thought to have happened in a top event.
The suspension will be a huge blow to the tens of thousands of fans who have flocked to the Welsh course to witness the clash between the cream of the golfing circuit.
Still smiling: Phil Mickelson's wife Amy (right) shelters under an umbrella
Wilting: Five men dressed as daffodils look less than sunny as they watch from the stands
Muffled up: U.S. captain Corey Pavin's wife Lisa and other WAGs gather in the rain
There was already standing water on the first fairway before the opening shots were struck at 7.45am and two more hours of rain left large puddles on the greens and the bunkers.
Tiger Woods was among the players to set out this morning but they all looked miserable as they huddled under umbrellas, heavily wrapped up in wet weather gear.
Europe captain Colin Montgomerie had rain pouring down his face as he tried to keep his team on track in the early stages of what is the most fascinating competition in golf's calendar.
Still stylish: Two U.S. wags on the fairway before play was suspended
Support: Corey Pavin's wife Lisa and Phil Mickelson's wife Amy both sported dark hats to keep the rain off
His deputy Darren Clarke said this morning: 'It's a tough call with all these people here and everyone watching but I think it's the right call. It's going to be a little while before we're back out here.'
Teammate Luke Donald added: 'If it was an ordinary event, we would not even have started. It's a shame but there is nothing we can do about it.
'Most of the fairways were all casual [under casual water] and if you had to drop it, it would be in the rough.'
Lee Westwood said: 'It's most disappointing for everyone associated with Celtric Manor and the people of Wales, They've been waiting 10 years and the weather has spoilt it a bit.'
Battling the conditions: Europe's Ross Fisher in action in the rain this morning
Caught: Ross Fisher reaches out to collect his ball after it got stuck in a spectator's umbrella
Covered up: Wags of the European players were top to toe in wet weather gear as they drover around
Gloomy: Grey skies darken the course as USA's Dustin Johnson hits the first ball
There seemed to be little prospect of a swift resumption in play with an announcement scheduled for noon, by which time it is hoped the fairways might have dried out slightly.
It could be the start of a very difficult weekend, with forecasters predicting rain for much of Britain throughout today and into Saturday and Sunday.
A Monday finish for the first time in the history of the contest has long been mooted, and European Tour chief referee John Paramor admitted it was part of a back-up plan.
He said: 'We do have some spare time on Sunday morning -a bout four hours as a back-up, and we do have Monday as a contingency.'
'The forecast is for the rain finishing early afternoon and we feel at midday we will have a better idea of when that rain will be through.
'This morning was pretty rough but all the players were keen to get going, so we did. It deteriorated to such an extent that I contacted both captains and said 'What do you think?'
'They both said 'It's your call' and I said I was not happy about continuing play. It had deteriorated to such an extent that it was not really fair.'
Soggy: Europe captain Colin Montgomerie is literally dripping with rain (left) and taking cover (right)
No let-up: Montgomerie gazes at the skies as rain pummels down during the first fourball
It never rains...: Tiger Woods looks dejected as he takes cover under an umbrella
In early play, Westwood and German Martin Kaymer were in the first group of fourballs and reached the fifth hole before play was suspended.
Taking a break: Paddy Harrington relaxing in the changing room
They pulled ahead of veteran Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson, as did Northern Irish pair Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy against Stewart Cink and Matt Kuchar.
Tiger Woods, playing in the third group, made it to the third hole with Steve Stricker. They are facing colourful dresser Ian Poulter and rookie Ross Fisher.
Fourth pairing Luke Donald and Padraig Harrington are taking on U.S. newcomers Jeff Overton and Bubba Watson.
Europe are 8/13 favourites to win back the trophy they lost at Valhalla two years ago and stormed into an early lead thanks to Colin Montgomerie's early heavyweights. Montgomerie is desperate to clinch a win for Europe after defeat in Louisville under Nick Faldo's leadership two years ago.
For the man who has an unbeaten record in singles matches for eight appearances in the Ryder Cup, it is hoped he can inspire Europe to similar heights - if the weather breaks, of course...
Early pacesetter: Europe's Graeme McDowell celebrates going one up in the fourth in the rain
Montgomerie actually warned about holding the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor at this time of year, two years ago.
When fog held up the start of the Welsh Open at the same spot in 2008, he said: 'There's a river here and the temperature between rivers and land causes fog. There could be delays here.
'We have a problem obviously here and we just pray that Him upstairs is good to us.' Asked whether the match should last four days and start on a Thursday, he said: 'I think everybody benefits. It's an extra day of advertising, an extra day of television.
'It would make sense really when you think about it. I think it's almost got to that stage where two rounds a day, we all seem to be rushing around, packing it in, for what reason, really?
'I've been running around changing rooms in Ryder Cups and trying to get new clothes and stuff and socks and shoes after I've been soaked in the morning and having to do it again in the afternoon. For what reason?'
The 2006 match in Ireland had some torrential rain, but it never suspended play. 'We risked it in Ireland,' Montgomerie said. 'I was with (chief referee) John Paramor first out and he said 'this is 10 minutes away from stopping'.'
The last time a match was badly affected was Valderrama in 1997, but it still managed to finish on Sunday evening - just as the heavens opened again.
The 1983 Ryder Cup was in mid-October, but that was Florida. You have to go back to 1965 at Royal Birkdale for the last match to be in October on this side of the Atlantic.
[starttext] By DEREK LAWRENSON Golf Correspondent at Celtic Manor
Those with a taste for blood and gore wanted this Ryder Cup to begin with Tiger against Rory. The European captain wanted it to begin with Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell.
But for the past six weeks Lee Westwood has nursed his ailing body with one purpose in mind, and that was to stand on the first tee and lead off Europe's quest to regain Samuel Ryder's gold cup.
Such is the esteem in which the finest English golfer since Nick Faldo is held by his captain, there was no way Colin Montgomerie was going to deny him.
And so this 38th edition will begin not with a grudge match or the flags of Northern Ireland flying high, but with a gesture of profound respect for Europe's No 1 and Europe's most recent major champion, as Westwood (below) and Martin Kaymer are charged with the honour and responsibility of setting the tone for getting the trophy back.
Waiting for them will be the formidable American pairing of Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson. Talk about meeting firepower with firepower.
Do sports fans with satellite television need any more incentive to set the alarm clock early? Do those privileged enough to have a ticket need any more excuse to pack their waterproofs and their singing voices?
There's plenty more following the announcement of an opening series that left Europe feeling supremely confident and Americans shaking their heads in puzzlement.
Europe's four pairings were exactly those predicted in Sportsmail a week ago, but who could have guessed America's line-up? Enlarge
Keeping dry in the clubhouse on the first morning will be the man who has just won $11million at the FedEx Cup and another who went five matches unbeaten at the last Ryder Cup. In place of Jim Furyk and Hunter Mahan will be rookies in Bubba Watson and Jeff Overton. Who could have predicted that?
Certainly not the opposition captain.
'It's safe to say Padraig Harrington and Luke Donald did not expect to play two rookies in the anchor match,' said Montgomerie.
'Any scenario you think of piles a lot of pressure on two inexperienced players. We could be trying to make it 2-2 or go 3-1 ahead. Giving that task to Bubba and Jeff is, well, a bit strange really.'
While one captain is playing a blinder the other really ought to be hauled off the pitch. After all that military nonsense from Corey Pavin on Wednesday, how unfortunate that he should look around the stage at the opening ceremony and find one of his team had gone missing in action.
'An Open champion, too!' chortled Montgomerie.
Honestly, when you're charged with the task of announcing your team, how can you forget to mention one of them? Stewart Cink could have been forgiven for feeling neglected when he won The Open last year and all the plaudits went to Tom Watson, but this was something else again. Just as well for Pavin that Cink is one of life's good guys. If it had happened to Tiger, he would have probably caught the next flight out of town.
Here's more strangeness from Pavin. This will be the first Ryder Cup Tiger Woods has played in since 1999 in which he will not be the lead hitter on the opening morning.
Did Pavin go looking for Rory in putting Tiger off in the third match? Well, you wouldn't expect him to answer that one, would you? Anyway, instead of Rory, Tiger and Steve Stricker have found Ian Poulter and Ross Fisher instead.
Poulter was the European star of the last Ryder Cup and what a chance he and Fisher now have to be the stars of the opening series. No-one will expect them to win, not against an American pairing who went unbeaten in four matches at the last Presidents Cup. Well, no-one bar Montgomerie, the thousands who will follow their every shot and, most importantly, the two players themselves.
Fisher might not make the same headlines as Poulter but he doesn't fall short when it comes to self-belief.
'Tonight we will have a few inspired speeches, get a good night's kip and then go out there and give it to them,' he said. Poulter added: 'It's going to be just incredible, isn't it?'
Splitting the top match and this one will the fulfillment for McIlroy and McDowell of a dream they have cherished from the moment the former left the amateur world and joined the paid ranks three years ago. They will play Matt Kuchar and, er, what's his name again - oh yes, Stewart Cink.
This couldn't have worked out better for the home pair, for while Kuchar has had a wonderful year, he looked exhausted at the Tour Championship last week.
Europe, therefore, will be bitterly disappointed if they don't come out of the opening series with at least a one-point lead. It might not sound anything with 24 points still to play for and it isn't in real terms. But past experience has shown the team leading after round one have a massive psychological advantage.
Indeed, in the 15 Ryder Cups to have been staged since the continentals were invited to the party in 1979, only twice has the team that lost the opening series come back to win.
No wonder Westwood wanted to bat first, then. Anybody else and it would have been a difficult decision for Montgomerie. He was fully aware how good McDowell and McIlroy were when playing first at the Seve Trophy last year.
But, in a team as good from top to bottom as Europe's, Westwood is still Montgomerie's main man. It took guts to ask to play first, 11 weeks since he last played competitively, safe in the knowledge that a star pair would provide the opposition. A lesser man would have wanted to hide. But Westwood is desperate to get rid of the sour taste from last time, when Sir Nick Faldo took all the wind from his sails. Now he has a captain who will believe in him to the end, and by his side will be the brilliant German who Montgomerie believes is a future world No 1.
No-one from Europe will be too unhappy that the weather is predicted to be bad at the start. It certainly won't dampen the spirits of those who will gather at first light for what is truly among the best this sport has to offer - the opening shots on the opening day of the Ryder Cup.
Europe begin with the captain resplendent and the opposition worrying whether in Pavin they have another Faldo, a cold fish who tries to reinvent the wheel with his strange selections.
Pavin could do with Tiger motivated and Mickelson and Johnson at their best. He could do with a couple of rookies turning convention on its head.
Anything else, and the knives will be out. Win this opening series, and one-up for Europe will start to feel more like one hand on the trophy.
Thundebolt: Juventus' Vincenzo Iaquinta fired his side ahead in stunning fashion
A week ago, a place in a rather weak Carling Cup side at West Brom concentrated the mind of Manchester City winger Adam Johnson. Last night, a crucial goal against one of the most respected club sides in Europe did the job.
Now young Johnson must decide which way he wishes his season to go. A player with enormous talent and a gift for scoring crucial goals that some players never acquire, Johnson has much to learn in terms of application and concentration in the eyes of City manager Roberto Mancini.
Johnson’s place in the Carling Cup team that lost at West Brom was no accident. It was Mancini’s way of reminding the 23-year-old England international just how quickly players can be removed from their pedestal. Pleasingly, it would appear that the winger took the hint.
Having been told - along with City’s other creative players - that goals are his responsibility this season, he scored what could yet prove to be a decisive one in the context of City’s Europa League season.
Johnson was not City’s most impressive player. The Belgian central defender Vincent Kompany filled that category. However, his goal was not only important but also had quality written right through it.
To the untrained eye, it looked simple enough as he ran on to a neat pass from Yaya Toure to control the ball and prod it beneath poorly positioned Juventus goalkeeper Alex Manninger.
However, the beauty was in the anticipation of Toure’s pass and the timing and direction of the diagonal run from the right side that left two Juventus defenders on their heels. It is this kind of intuitive quality that tends to stand out in English football.
Certainly Mancini will be pleased, particularly as he clearly felt Johnson was partly to blame for the Juventus goal that rocked City in only the 10th minute.
City goalkeeper Joe Hart will not look back on Vincenzo Iaquinta’s goal with any pride. The shot from distance was sweetly struck but England’s goalkeeper really should have saved it.
A-dam good timing: Adam Johnson levelled matters before the break
Mancini, though, had spotted something else that irked him in the build-up, exchanging words and gestures with Johnson from the touchline as the Italians celebrated.
Afterwards, Mancini said: ‘Adam is a good player and he is trying to improve always. It was a good goal today and he has done something good. But he can still improve.’ Struggling a little to juggle the demands of their European and domestic commitments, City fielded a strong team and it was just as well, given the manner in which they were required to scrap for what they achieved.
It was a rather close call as Juventus captain Alessandro del Piero came within inches of winning the game in the last five minutes. City conceded rather too many free-kicks all night and Del Piero almost took advantage when he thumped a dead ball against the underside of the crossbar and down on to the goal-line.
No way through: Emmanuel Adebayor wasted several good chances for City
The Italian’s shot was well struck and swerved a little. Nevertheless, Hart will wonder how he didn’t manage to turn it over the bar, given that the ball passed directly above his head. Overall, this was not a great evening for the City goalkeeper and his disgruntled understudy Shay Given will certainly have looked on with interest from the substitutes’ bench.
Mancini added: ‘We hoped to control the game but after they scored the goal the game changed. It was a blow. We had to recover from that and in the second half particularly we did that.’
As their season progresses, City continue to seek some consistency. Last night’s performance, for example, did not match the defeat of Chelsea in the Premier League at the weekend.
Legend: Alessandro Del Piero twice went close with trademark free-kicks
Mancini will have been heartened by Johnson’s contribution, delighted at the manner in which Kompany’s central defensive partnership with Kolo Toure is developing and impressed with the contribution of German full back Jerome Boateng, who played on both sides after injury to Pablo Zabaleta.
There were disappointments, though, and none worse than the failure of Emmanuel Adebayor to make an impact on the game. Mancini declared himself happy with Adebayor’s contribution but it was interesting to see Carlos Tevez still covering the yards late on.
It was surely not what Mancini would have wanted ahead of Sunday’s game but at the moment Tevez is his only reliable forward. The sooner Adebayor discovers his form or Mario Balotelli his fitness the better.
Juventus were dangerous when shooting from distance. City, for their part, struck the post through Gareth Barry shortly before Johnson’s goal and Barry also volleyed a Patrick Vieira cross over the bar.
Losing battle: Fernando Torres looked sharp at times, but too often cut a frustrated figure up front
Liverpool carved out a hard-fought point, but it hardly counted as a night to compare with their best in Europe. Not for Liverpool, and certainly not for Fernando Torres.
Roy Hodgson arrived in this historic Dutch city intent on adding to his tally of five straight Europa League wins as Liverpool manager but just as eager to see Torres end an uncharacteristically lean spell that has yielded just one goal so far this season.
He may well have been content with the outcome of the first objective but not the second, after a misfiring Torres spurned three clear opportunities and, barely able to conceal his frustration, headed straight down the tunnel.
While his team-mates acknowledged travelling supporters, and Utrecht’s players pointedly milked the crowd’s applause as if they had won the Champions League, Liverpool’s £21million record signing made the swiftest of exits from the scene of his anguish.
The plan to nurture Torres back to his lethal best appeared to have backfired, but Hodgson was unrepentant as he reflected on his decision to include the Spain frontrunner between the Barclays Premier League games against Sunderland and Blackpool.
Torres appeared to consult Liverpool’s physio as he headed off, but Hodgson said: ‘My interest is in Liverpool Football Club and watching 11 players and seven substitutes. I’m afraid I can’t spend every waking moment keeping an eye on Torres, so I can’t tell you if he saw the physio or not.
‘What I can say is that he worked hard and combined well with Dirk Kuyt. He is still seeking that elusive goal after a couple of late chances he might have put away, but he will feel it was a good 90-minute workout and a step in the right direction.’
There was an early reminder of the quicksilver finishing skills that have brought Ricky van Wolfswinkel six goals in this competition already this season, as he steered an instinctive shot narrowly wide in only the fifth minute.
Joe-where to go: Cole struggled, along with the rest of Liverpool's midfield, to create many chances
That apart, it was Liverpool calling the shots, as they set about establishing control in midfield and began to fashion shooting opportunities near the edge of the area. If only they had finished with the same sure touch that marked some of their passing moves.
Raul Meireles undid all his impressive approach work with a weak shot straight at keeper Michel Vorm in the 10th minute and Joe Cole miscued in similarly frustrating fashion after working an opening five minutes later.
Rallying call: Pepe Reina was at his resolute best between the posts
As Liverpool have found to their cost on previous European excursions, it only takes one near miss to ignite the home crowd and add extra momentum to their team’s endeavours.
Utrecht had two, after being reprieved by Meireles’ failure to despatch an unmarked header in the 23rd minute, as Liverpool inexplicably surrendered the initiative and found themselves suddenly on the back foot.
The first, in the 25th minute, looked, for one heart-stopping moment, like being more than just a close shave, as Jan Wuytens lashed a loose ball into the roof of the net, only for Jacob Mulenga to be penalised for a push on Martin Kelly for the header that set up the opening.
Little had been seen of Kuyt on his return to his first club, but he was the centre of attention in the 39th minute, following an inexcusable lapse of concentration inside his own area.
Mulenga again demonstrated his aerial prowess by heading a Mertens corner back across goal, but it should have been a routine clearance for Kuyt.
Instead, the Liverpool midfielder dithered and allowed Mertens to nip in and drill a low near-post shot that Pepe Reina turned away with his legs.
The first of Torres’ chances came in the 53rd minute, after a half-clearance from Glen Johnson’s cross fell invitingly for him but was volleyed yards over.
Reina was found wanting three minutes later, after reaching for a Mertens corner and flailing at thin air. Michael Silberbauer’s free header at the far post was looping towards goal, until Meireles saved his keeper by heading clear from under the bar.
Liverpool might have preferred a more measured pattern to the game, but chances were at least coming their way, as well as Utrecht’s, as the pace hotted up.
The most glaring fell to Torres in the 57th minute, after a cutback from Kuyt left him with just Vorm to beat on the edge of the six-yard area. It should have been the simplest of tasks, but he was left holding his head, initially, after being denied by Vorm, then howling his protests to Gomes after the official failed to spot the save and gave a goal-kick instead.
The final straw arrived in the 66th minute, after Torres latched on to a back pass from Mircea Nesu and nicked the ball past Vorm.
He chose to hurdle the keeper’s challenge, rather than go to ground in search of a penalty, as the ball ran away from him and out of play.
Credit to him for adopting such a sporting approach, but there must have been a sigh of relief from Nesu, not to mention Vorm, at seeing his ill-timed dive at the striker’s feet go unpunished.
Liverpool finished the night top of the group, but it was hardly a cause for celebration.
American WAGs: The wives and partners of the United States Ryder Cup team, including Corey Pavin's wife Lisa (fourth from left) and Hunter Mahan's fiancee Kandi (sixth from left), pose at the 2010 Ryder Cup Dinner at Cardiff Castle
It was their first chance to put on a show in Cardiff and, boy, did America's golf birdies come out swinging.
The wives and girlfriends of the USA's Ryder Cup team were certainly dressed to the nines for the opening official function, a dinner at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.
They joined guest of honour Prince Charles at the event as well as Tiger Woods, who braved the event despite being one of the few bachelors on the golfing set. But the European WAGs had no intention of being outdone.
Rival birdies: The European WAGs, including Colin Montgomerie's wife Gaynor (fourth from left) also put on a stylish show
Say cheese! The European and United States Ryder Cup teams and WAGs also posed for an official photograph with Prince Charles
Gaynor Montgomerie, who is the wife of Europe's team captain Colin, led the local contingent in a daring plunge-neck pink satin dress.
The stylish Scot hosted the event as part of her role as 'Lady Captain', and has already been praised for being both gracious and welcoming towards the rivals.
Her dedication to her duty on the tour is all the more impressive given the fact her husband's behaviour hasn't always been up to par.
In fact, Colin confessed to an affair with an old flame not long after they married in 2008.
Glam squad: The American WAGs were led by Lisa Pavin, who is the wife of the team's captain Corey, and Hunter Mahan's fiancee, Kandi Harris, who used to be a cheerleader
All American girls: Lisa recently posed for the cover of Avid Golfer, while Kandi used to perform for the Dallas Cowboys
While he admitted it up the relationship under 'considerable strain', she has shown dignified support and happily posed with him for a couple's portrait during the dinner.
The American WAGs were led by Lisa Pavin, who is the wife of the team's captain Corey.
Known as 'The Captainess', the 36-year-old made sure she stood out from the crowd in a bold red dress.
Hunter Mahan's fiancee, Kandi Harris, turns a few heads, too. She's a former cheerleader, who tonight swapped pom poms for an electric blue ball gown.
Stand by your man: Team Europe's Colin Montgomerie with wife Gaynor, Lee Westwood with wife Laurae and Martin Kaymer with partner Allison Michelett
When in doubt, wear black: Europe's Rory McIlroy with his partner Holly Sweeney, Thomas Bjorn with his wife Pernilla and Peter Hanson with his wife Sanna
Harris is a 24-year-old blonde used to perform for American Football giants the Dallas Cowboys.
Hunter and Kandi met in December through a mutual friend and quickly became engaged. The are set to wed in January.
When asked about their whirlwind romance, Hunter has said: 'People say when you know, you know. I'm always like, that's crazy talk.
'But we had a great connection. She's just the best. I mean, she just brings out the best in me, so that's all I can ask for.'
Lisa Pavin is very comfortable taking centre stage too and recently raised a few eyebrows in the conservative golf world with a very racy appearance on the cover of Avid Golfer magazine.
One for the family album! Eurpoe's Luke Donald and wife Diane even took along their daughter Elle
Time to bring out the props! Europe's Miguel Angel Jimenez and partner Marian Jimenez posed on a plush chair, as did Martin Kaymer and partner Allison Micheletti
Time to shine: Europe's Edoardo Molinari with his partner Anna Roscio, Ross Fisher with his wife Jo and bachelors Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell teamed up for a laugh
With just a red, white and blue flag to save her modesty, she is seen striking a seductive pose for the shoot.
The couple shrugged off critics, with Corey saying: 'A lot has been said about that photograph, but I thought it was done in great taste.
'I thought it was a beautiful picture. She's a beautiful woman and I'm lucky to have her.'
Lisa, who is 50-year-old Corey's second wife, has proved herself to be equally supportive - and protective - of her husband too.
In fact, the outspoken WAG, who moved to the US from Vietnam as a young child, has ruffled a few feathers with her fiery approach.
Flying solo: Tiger Woods attended the event without a female companion
It's Mrs America! The group made a grand entrance down a staircase
Now it's out turn! The Europeans took time to soak up their moment in the spotlight
She had a Twitter battle with the Sports Illustrated writer Alan Shipnuck, who was once critical of Corey in the Nineties, tweeting: 'No wonder the Tour calls him Shipwreck.'
She also spoke out during a public row between her husband and Golf Channel reporter Jim Gray over a comment made about Tiger Woods. Her involvement in her husband's career has been described in one press profile as 'unhinged' after she said this year: 'I want to win the Cup more than anything.'
On another occasion, she said: 'When the Ryder Cup is over, I want the PGA of America to remember the positive ideas and inputs and, hopefully, they have something to remember me by.'
Meet and greet: Earlier in the evening, Prince Charles shook hands with Tom Lehman as Tiger Woods watched on
Brolly poor show: Europe captain Colin Montgomerie struggles to hold on as he battles the elements
Although the Ryder Cup will still be decided over 28 points, the change means that every player is now guarenteed at least three matches. Once the first series of four fourballs are completed this morning, six foursomes will be played, followed by two foursomes and four fourballs
Rain, rain, go away: The 18th fairway is criss-crossed with tracks of water
Standing room only: The flooded spectator area of the 18th fairway after heavy rainfall
Water tight: Monty and Poulter
