Fun is watch-word for teams in damp Ryder buildup

A depressingly wet morning at Celtic Manor failed to dampen Ryder Cup spirits as holders — the United States — and hosts, Europe, continued their preparations in a relaxed and light-hearted mood on Wednesday.

With Friday's opening fourball matches looming large, American captain Corey Pavin and counterpart Colin Montgomerie asked their players to stay loose and have fun while practising on the Twenty Ten course.

Both teams have smiled and chatted their way round the undulating par-71 layout, engaging with the fans whenever possible and being warmly applauded from tee to green.

The first European fourball to tee off after a rain-sodden morning in the Usk valley delighted spectators when every player and caddie donned Rory McIlroy wigs to give the Northern Irishman an unexpected boost on the first tee.

The mop-haired McIlroy had been feeling downcast after the comments he recently made about world No1 Tiger Woods were used to ratchet up a rivalry in the tabloid newspapers.

"So what we decided to do was find seven wigs and the caddies and players who were playing with him decided we'd get Rory on the first tee and make him feel part of the team again," Montgomerie told reporters.

"That was the right thing to do. He played magnificent today so we're all back on level terms again." McIlroy, the youngest member of the home team, suggested at the recent WGC-Bridgestone Invitational that most of Europe's players would fancy their chances against the out-of-form Woods.

The Americans have done much of their team bonding by playing table tennis each evening, with rookie Matt Kuchar dominant.

"The bond's already there and a lot of the time we are just hanging around the team room," Pavin said. "We have ping pong tables, guys are working out a lot and they're just floating around, spending time together."

Pavin and Montgomerie gave their players an evening to remember on Tuesday, the Americans listening in awe to a leading military figure and the Europeans being inspired by golfing great Seve Ballesteros.

Major Dan Rooney, a decorated F-16 fighter pilot and a PGA of America golf professional, spoke to Pavin's players for about 20 minutes in their team room.

"I just asked him to stress some points I've been stressing and just relate it in a different manner," Pavin said. "I want these guys to be accountable to each other and watch each other's backs.

"Basically that's what happens in the military. He just shared a few stories about that and how it relates in the military. It was a very fun evening, actually."

Montgomerie arranged for Ballesteros to speak to the European team from his home in Santander, Spain, where he continues to recover after repeated surgery on a brain tumour.

"Before our team meeting, we managed to phone Santander and the whole team spoke to Seve for about 10 minutes — that was very motivational, very passionate and also very sad to hear him, hear the way he is.

"That was a real inspiration especially for the rookies in the team," Montgomerie said. "The whole team spoke to Seve."

With no hint of controversy in either team room during the build-up to the 38th Ryder Cup, the golfing media has been desperate to conjure stories out of thin air this week.

Top of the bill on Wednesday was talk of a possible showdown between McIlroy and Woods in Sunday's singles but both captains ruled out any chance of that match being arranged.

"If it happens, it happens but it would be by chance," said Pavin, referring to the 'blind' draw for singles matches.

"I think it's more important for me to send our guys off in the best order for our team to have a chance to win. We'll just have to see where the cards fall but I think it would be fun for me to watch. I'd enjoy it."

Montgomerie, unbeaten in eight singles as a Ryder Cup player, agreed.

"If it does happen, great, we look forward to that challenge and I'm sure Rory would too, and I'm sure Tiger would too," Montgomerie said.

"A lot has been made of this challenge. This is about a team, not about individuals, and my team is set on gaining 14-12 points [to win]. It doesn't matter who is playing whom or who gets them," he said.