Calm before the storm as stars have fun day out

It was almost the calm before the storm as the European and US Ryder Cup teams joked and wise-cracked their way through a light-hearted practice session.

With two days to go before golf’s biggest grudge match gets underway with tomorrow morning’s opening fourball matches, a sizeable crowd was treated to dazzling sunshine at a picturesque PGA Centenary Course layout and some extraordinary trick shots.

As the occasional blast of traditional Scottish bagpipes could be heard in the distance, American Rickie Fowler wowed the fans who gathered at the practice range to catch a glimpse of their heroes. The 25-year-old, who caused a stir at the start of the week by sporting a new haircut featuring the letters ‘USA’ shaved into the side of his head, dribbled the ball no more than two yards after deliberately striking it with the bottom of his driver. Fowler then swapped hands on the same club, cack-handedly sending it soaring 250 yards into the distance before breaking into a wide grin and waving to the cheering spectators.