Torrential rain may ruin Ryder
The forecast for the remainder of the week is for a series of bad weather fronts to pass over Ireland with two inches of rain likely to fall in many parts of the country within a short space of time.
On top of a period of wet and windy conditions forecast for today, Ireland is due to be hit by the tail-end of Hurricane Gordon tomorrow which will bring a separate system of bad weather.
Gale force winds and heavy, prolonged rainfall are also likely to disrupt play at the practice sessions by the European and US Ryder Cup teams today and tomorrow.
However, Met Éireann is forecasting that the worst of the bad weather will be over by the time the competition starts on Friday.
“We’re certainly in for some rough weather over the next few days. It’s going to pack quite a punch,” predicted Met Éireann’s Michael Cleary.
Met Éireann is expected to issue a weather alert later today to warn members of the public — not just golf fans — to take extra care due to the inclement conditions.
The bad weather will come as a major blow to the Ryder Cup organisers as it threatens to turn the multi-million staging of the event into a washout.
Scenes of wet and windy weather are likely to do little favours for Fáilte Ireland executives hoping to attract US golfers to select Ireland over warmer destinations for their holidays.
The other good news is that umbrellas are one of the few items not banned by the Ryder Cup organisers for visitors to the K Club this week.
Spectators will be advised to seek shelter if such warnings are issued.
