Fans stream onto the Celtic Manor Twenty Ten course in Newport on Wednesday, to a man and woman armed with umbrellas. The wild weather is expected to be in attendance throughout the Ryder Cup weekend
While the European team put off practice for a couple of hours, the Americans hit the fairways. World number two Phil Mickelson is all wrapped up and set to play a key role in his eighth Ryder Cup
While the Americans get wet, European skipper Colin Montgomerie, on the winning side in five of his eight appearances as a player, takes the opportunity to get the hundreds of official photographs out of the way
England's Lee Westwood, a six-time Ryder Cupper, has not played competitively since early August because of a calf injury but is confident he will be able to play all five rounds
The European team are in good spirits despite the weather and tee off at the first in Rory McIlroy wigs. The Northern Irishman is flanked by Martin Kaymer (left), Luke Donald's caddie John McLaren and Graeme McDowell
Unlike the Europeans, Tiger's not messing about. Much has been made of the world number one's poor form and apparent dislike of the event - he looks in the mood to prove people wrong
Rickie Fowler was one of US skipper Corey Pavin's picks and while he's a PGA Tour and Ryder Cup rookie, he has a formidable record of seven wins in eight Walker Cup matches as an amateur
Woods (second left) is expected to be partnered with world number four Steve Stricker over the first two days. Along with Jim Furyk and Mickelson, the Americans have four of the world's top five players
On Tuesday, Montgomerie declared Padraig Harrington to be in the best form out of all his team. The three-time major winner, who has had a poor season by his standards, was a contentious captain's pick
While it's all steely expressions on the course, 14-time major winner Woods and his American team-mates are wise enough not to neglect the all-important charm offensive off it
Francesco (left) and Edoardo Molinari are the first brothers to play in the Ryder Cup since 1963 and the first Italians since Constantino Rocca, who played in 1993, '95 and '97
At 46, Spanish veteran Miguel Angel Jimenez is the old man of the European party. He has an ordinary Ryder Cup record - two wins from 12 matches - but has won three tournaments this season
The match might be two days away but the European team members are doing everything in their power to win the phoney war - Ian Poulter, a two-time Ryder Cupper, stokes the crowd during his practice round
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