Rain delay suits kipping king Harrington

PADRAIG HARRINGTON put his time to good use at Celtic Manor when the rain came down on the Ryder Cup and play was suspended for seven hours and 18 minutes as he and Luke Donald played American rookies Bubba Watson and Jeff Overton.

“I slept, that’s all I did all day,” Harrington said. “Slept for about an hour and a half in the morning, an hour after lunch. “I knew that after the rain delay, we are going to play a lot of golf, going to be a lot of early mornings for the rest of the week. It was time to get the rest in as much as possible.”

There are good omens for the Irishman. He used a similar rain delay at Oakland Hills to good effect in 2008, emerging after a locker-room snooze for the final round of the US PGA, which sealed the third major victory of his career.

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YESTERDAY’S Celtic Manor fans will not be receiving a refund despite seven and a quarter hours of play being lost to rain at Celtic Manor.

Not a match was finished during the four hours of action, but a statement said: “Ryder Cup Europe confirms that, under the terms and conditions of the 2010 Ryder Cup, ticket holders are not entitled to a refund.

“Nevertheless we appreciate the patience and consideration shown by spectators today in the face of appalling weather conditions.”

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COLIN MONTGOMERIE himself warned two years ago of the potential problems of holding the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor in October. Before he even knew he was going to be captain of the European team Montgomerie suggested that stretching the event from three to four days might have been a good idea.

Asked about whether the match should go to four days beginning on a Thursday rather than a Friday – as the Presidents Cup and Seve Trophy do – Montgomerie commented: “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 somehow they got through it without suspending play.

“We risked it in Ireland,” Montgomerie stated. “I was with (chief referee) John Paramor first out and he said ‘this is 10 minutes away from stopping’.”

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KEEN golfer Fabio Capello joined the muddy masses at Celtic Manor to lend his support to Europe’s Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie. The England manager had hoped to watch fellow Italians Edoardo and Francesco Molinari make their debuts in golf’s blue riband team event but ended up following Arsenal fan Ian Poulter and Ross Fisher against Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker. Hovering beside the fifth tee when play finally resumed after a seven-hour rain suspension, Capello called out to Montgomerie, offered a thumbs up, and then shook the Scot by the hand wishing him “good luck”.

“I think it’s a little the same, more like football the Ryder Cup with the team more important,” Capello told the diary, before cheering as Poulter speared a tee-shot down the middle of the fairway.

“This passion here is fantastic. It’s very different situation for golf, with everybody shouting for Europe, for the team. It’s like a football atmosphere.”

Asked if he had any advice for Montgomerie, Capello said he was sure the Scot had everything under control.

“I like to shoot some golf balls,” said Capello, who plays regularly and is reportedly a single-handicapper.

“But I’m just a fan here. I’m sure Colin Montgomerie knows exactly what to do with his players. He’s doing a great job.”

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STAYING with a football theme, Waterford’s John O’Shea admits he will peel himself away from the Ryder Cup coverage to try to help Manchester United record their first Premier League away win, at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light today.

The Irishman is a keen golfer, lauded by some as the best player in the United dressing room.

With fellow countryman Padraig Harrington involved, he will be keeping a close eye on Europe’s progress at the soggy surrounds of Celtic Manor.

The plan is to collect three points this afternoon, then spend tomorrow flicking between the golf and Chelsea’s blockbuster encounter with Arsenal.

“I am interested in the Ryder Cup,” he said. “A lot of the guys in the dressing room like to play.

“Most of us are of similar standard, which is not very good. But we are all looking forward to Europe winning this weekend.”

Picture: Pádraig Harrington taking a nap in the changing room at Celtic Manor.