In what is termed as a history in the making, play at the Ryder Cup golf has been suspended due to rain. The tournament, which is being played in the Twenty Ten course at Celtic Manor Resort in Newport, Wales, has never seen a game suspension during the last 13 years.
It all changed when heavy rain made it impossible for the golfers to continue. The game was stopped at 9.45 am, two hours after the start. The 38th Ryder Cup competition has escaped weather extremes in the past with the last stoppage in Spain at Valderarrama in 1997.
The championship was at an interesting phase when the game was stopped. There were four groups of four-ball competitors on the course, and Europe had a lead in three of the matches.
Lee Westwood and his partner, PGA Champion winner Martin Kaymer had a lead over Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson, 2 up, through five holes.
Rory McIlroy and U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell had a lead over Stewart Cink and Matt Kuchar, 1 up through four holes. The third European duo Ian Poulter and Ross Fisher were leading Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker, 1 up through three.
Jeff Overton and Bubba Watson were the only Americans to have a lead over Padraig Harrington and Luke Donald, 2 up after two holes. An extra day of play on Monday has been agreed on by all parties with 6:43 p.m. as the finishing time. Those leading at that point will be declared the winners.
