Fail to prepare, prepare to fail

Paul McGinley left nothing to chance in his masterplan to retain the Ryder Cup for Europe. It was an attention to detail that one journalist suggested was borderline "disturbing" but it got the required outcome.

We’re not to the point of changing the team flag to red, white and orange, but you’d be safe to argue that at this point in the proceedings, the American team at the biennial Ryder Cup could have a fresh-faced leader in Rickie Fowler.

Paul Azinger wrote a book on how he won the Ryder Cup for America four years ago and our screens have been full of former captains pouring forth on how they did it but for all the talk, nothing can quite prepare José Maria Olazabal and Davis Love III for what is about to unfold.

United States captain Davis Love expects this week's Ryder Cup contest at Medinah to be a friendly one - and stresses it is certainly not a war.

SWEDEN’S Alexander Noren cruised to his third European Tour title despite a closing round of 77 in Stockholm yesterday.

Greg Norman and Sir Nick Faldo, first and second in the record-breaking 1993 Open at Sandwich, will not be involved in this year’s championship at the Kent course.

LIKE the first day of a new soccer season, everyone stands equal during the practice rounds of the year’s opening major.

Rory McIlroy was on the receiving end of an absolute hammering at the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship in Tucson today.

Scotland’s Martin Laird shot a four under par 67 to hold a share of the lead after the opening round of the Northern Trust Open in California.

DAVIS LOVE does not rule out being a playing-captain of the United States’ Ryder Cup team next year — something that has not been done since Arnold Palmer in 1963.

Davis Love was in tears within minutes of being confirmed as the United States' Ryder Cup captain today.

Jose Maria Olazabal today described becoming Europe’s new Ryder Cup captain “my proudest moment”.

Jose Maria Olazabal is expected to be named as the new captain of Europe’s Ryder Cup team today.

The Professional Golfers’ Association of America have called a press conference for Thursday to announce their captain for the Ryder Cup.

JOSE MARIA OLAZABAL will be named Europe’s next Ryder Cup captain next month. A press conference is scheduled for January 18 in Abu Dhabi, where the European Tour’s four-week Middle East swing begins two days later.

COLIN MONTGOMERIE is tipping Lee Westwood to win The Masters next April and with it complete an historic European Tour slam of the majors.

The United States press have come out in support of Hunter Mahan after his defeat to Graeme McDowell ultimately decided the Ryder Cup.

COMETH the hour, cometh the men in blue!

ONE look along the line of dejected faces sitting reluctantly before the media last night at Celtic Manor told you everything you needed to know about how deeply this American team cared about the Ryder Cup.

Irish golfer Graeme McDowell won the Ryder Cup for Europe today after a classic encounter at Celtic Manor.

Europe’s Ryder Cup stars appeared to be on a relentless victory march against the United States at Celtic Manor today.

United States captain Corey Pavin believes his players can stage a Brookline-style fightback and rip the Ryder Cup from Europe’s grasp at Celtic Manor today.

Not for the first time at the Ryder Cup Colin Montgomerie has expressed surprise at a decision by his opposite number Corey Pavin.

FOR a man that earlier in the week brought in a military man to gee up his players, USA captain Corey Pavin cut an extraordinarily benign figure on the eve of today’s deciding Ryder Cup singles matches.

COLIN MONTGOMERIE last night heaped praise on Pádraig Harrington and hit back at those who criticised his decision to grant the three-time major winner a wild card Ryder Cup spot.

Ireland’s Rory McIlroy will be second in tomorrow’s singles as compatriots Padraig Harrington and Graeme McDowell close out the day’s proceedings in the final two pairings.

Europe take a remarkable three-point lead into the Monday singles at the Ryder Cup after a quite stunning session at Celtic Manor.

Colin Montgomerie placed a note above the lockers of every one of his Europe team to read when they arrived at Celtic Manor this morning.

Play in the 38th Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor is due to resume at 1.30pm today after heavy rain returned with a vengeance and caused another lengthy delay.

Colin Montgomerie tonight revealed how he helped spark Europe’s thrilling Ryder Cup fightback – by staging a pep-talk with two of his struggling stars.

Rookies Jeff Overton and Bubba Watson produced a 31-year best for the United States on their Ryder Cup debuts at Celtic Manor.

Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy were given a second crack at Stewart Cink and Matt Kuchar when the Ryder Cup switched from fourballs to foursomes.

THE predicted biblical rainstorm duly materialised at Celtic Manor yesterday, forcing the organising committee to implement emergency measures in the faint hope of getting the 38th Ryder Cup completed on schedule tomorrow evening.

THE Ryder Cup is heading back to Europe if the words of the PR people at Sun Mountain Sports are to believed.

WITH the golf shots at a bare minimum and Mother Nature a dominating winner on the first day of the 38th Ryder Cup matches, there was nonetheless a desperate search for storylines to satisfy our appetite for this biennial event.

THE sun may or may not come out to play in the Usk Valley this weekend but European captain Colin Montgomerie was certainly saying hip, hip, hip hooray to the prospect of a vastly rejigged Ryder Cup schedule intended to beat the weather.

A Monday finish for the first time in the history of the Ryder Cup looms larger after heavy rain forced play to be suspended on the opening morning at Celtic Manor.

Europe today made an excellent start on the opening morning of the Ryder Cup before horrendous conditions brought play to a grinding halt.

A poll of golf writers at this week’s Ryder Cup overwhelmingly points to Europe winning back the trophy on Sunday.

PADRAIG HARRINGTON will be warmly fancied to win his first Ryder Cup match since 2004 when he and Luke Donald take on rookies Bubba Watson and Jeff Overton in the final fourball of this morning’s opening session at Celtic Manor.

Simon Lewis looks at the opening morning fourballs

USA captain Corey Pavin forgot to introduce 2009 Open champion Stewart Cink when he presented his team at the opening ceremony of the 38th Ryder Cup.