‘I thought we were going nowhere except home’

DARREN CLARKE was first to emerge.

For much of yesterday morning, the prospect of seeing any play looked grim. Health and safety fears forced golf officials to close the K Club for three hours as fierce winds and torrential rain battered the course.

With up to 45,000 spectators expected, all shuttle bus services were temporarily suspended, while members of the European and US teams stayed indoors at Straffan, Co Kildare. Tickets for the practice days cost €35, and with an anticipated 45,000 crowd that amounted to revenue in excess of €1.5 million.