Woosnam rings the changes

Europe’s Ryder Cup team braved the bad weather today and threw a little more light on some possible pairings for the match against the Americans starting on Friday.

Even though there was a chance they would be playing only nine holes because of the rain and strong winds that had earlier in the day closed the K Club to spectators, Ian Woosnam kept only one pair together.

That was Darren Clarke and Lee Westwood, who went out with Paul Casey and David Howell in what could well be two of the four foursomes partnerships for Friday afternoon.

Sergio Garcia and Luke Donald and then Padraig Harrington and Colin Montgomerie were both back together two years after helping Europe to their record-breaking win in Detroit.

Henrik Stenson was with Paul McGinley and Jose Maria Olazabal with Robert Karlsson, but they could well be the four omitted come the foursomes.