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Rainy conditions could steal some thunder

By Jim McCabe, Globe Staff | September 20, 2006

STRAFFAN, Ireland -- Whether it be the British Open or a regular European PGA Tour event, what good would any pre-tournament talk be if it didn't involve the weather? And being in Ireland, triple that up, because the weather is always a source of wonderment over here.

While it's been a brilliantly warm and dry summer, if forecasts are correct, that appears to be over. Paul McGinley wonders if that isn't a psychological advantage for Team Europe.

``The Americans, I know they were cringing when the plane landed [Monday] at Dublin Airport and it was blowing an absolute gale and lashing rain," said the Irishman, who'll be appearing in his third Ryder Cup. ``The forecast is not so good from what we hear, so it's going to be rough, it's going to be tough."

There was intermittent sunshine yesterday, but when the sun did dodge behind a thick cloud cover, it got quite brisk, even uncomfortable at times. But if the forecast is correct, that could have been the best day of the week. For today and tomorrow, sturdy wind is predicted, upward of 25-30 miles per hour, with periods of rain, heavy at times. For Friday's opening matches, it's supposed to be cloudy and cool, but the wind is expected to die down, though occasional showers are predicted, and that is not good news for the K Club.

``The fairways are very soft now," said Colin Montgomerie. ``They are thinking about lift, clean, and place already. "

European captain Ian Woosnam insists he's prepared.

``I spent six months working on the rain suits, because I know what the weather can be like here," he said. ``I've tried to get the very best out of the waterproofs."

Bracing himself

When the opening ceremonies are held tomorrow afternoon, it could be an awkward moment for Darren Clarke, but he says he's mentally prepared for it. In fact, he has thoughts on how he may handle it. ``I was thinking about bringing them over," he said, in reference to his sons Tyrone, 8, and Conor, 5. The players, of course, are introduced with their wives, thus the anxious situation, given the Aug. 13 death of Clarke's 39-year-old wife Heather after a long bout with cancer. ``It's going to be hard in that environment, but he knows that," said Tiger Woods, one of Clarke's best friends. ``We've all talked to him about it. You have to deal with it one day; it might as well be right now." . . . If he chooses to be introduced solo, Clarke wouldn't be alone, for three other team members -- Montgomerie (divorced), Jose Maria Olazabal (single), and David Howell (single) -- are going that route, also. Sergio Garcia is also single, but he has brought along a date for the occasion -- his girlfriend, Morgan-Leigh Norman, who is no stranger to big-time golf events. Her father, Greg, played in a few. The young Spaniard has been dating Norman's daughter, a Boston College graduate, for a few months . . . Asked if his sons would watch any of the golf, Clarke shook his head, then smiled. ``They are not quite tall enough to see over everybody," he said.

The rank file

With Paul Casey's victory in the World Match Play Championship, he has moved to No. 17 in the world rankings, so Europe now has nine of the top 25, compared with seven for the US. The Americans dominate the very top -- Woods is No. 1, Phil Mickelson No. 2, Jim Furyk No. 3 -- but five of the Europeans are in the top 15 (Garcia, No. 8; Luke Donald, No. 9; Henrik Stenson, No. 11; Howell, No. 13; Montgomerie, No. 14) . . . The trip over was a long and tough one, even before the American team was greeted by pelting rain Monday. US captain Tom Lehman explained that they were three hours late, but part of the reason could be overpacking. ``We brought more than our share of luggage," he said. ``I think we were trying to put together a puzzle, trying to fit all the stuff inside the plane. You could see the guys outside the plane going, `How are we going to get all this stuff in?' But they managed to do it." Famous for being a fast player, Woosnam is on record as saying he takes offense at players who are late, so he was asked if the Europeans could be considered 1 up? ``That doesn't count today," said Woosnam, but Lehman won the battle of quips when he came back with, ``We're always the one down [early], so it doesn't make any difference." . . . Lehman expressed full confidence in Scott Verplank, who has played just six rounds since the PGA Championship (Aug. 17-20) in an effort to let some sore ribs heal. ``He rested about a week," said Lehman. ``He's 100 percent."