Team USA makes good use of bad weather by practicing in rain

Gray skies and heavy rain greeted the U.S. and European Ryder Cup teams at the Celtic Manor Resort on Wednesday morning for the second day of practice rounds. U.S. Captain Corey Pavin had his players trudge along the course in the rain to get familiar with the conditions. “It's good to see the golf course in weather like this,” Pavin said. “It's a nice opportunity for us to get out there and play in the rain,” Pavin said. “Yesterday we saw it when the weather was good. So the more chances we get to see the golf course in different conditions, the better off it is for us.” While the Americans stayed on the course, European Ryder Cup Captain Colin Montgomerie elected to keep his squad indoors until the rain slowed and eventually came to a complete halt mid afternoon, making way to some sunshine. The sunny skies were a welcome sign, but one thing’s for certain in Wales this week – the players had better get used to the wet conditions. Rain is forecasted for every day, with temperatures in the mid-to-high 50s. Friday, the first day of the matches, is expected to be the worst day of the week, conditions-wise, with heavy downpours throughout. With some concerned about a possible Monday-finish due to the sloppy conditions, Pavin was taking a glass-half-full approach. “This course takes water very well, and I don't think there's a whole lot of lightning in this area,” Pavin said. “I think it's a lot like Southern California weather; that if it rains, it's just wet. There's not much electricity. I don't think it will happen [a Monday finish]. It's not really a question for me, per se; it's a question for the powers that be. I'm just a lowly captain.” Zach Johnson, a former Masters champion playing in his second Ryder Cup, was asked if he’s a good wet weather player. “I'm very familiar with it,” he said. “But to say that I'm as good or better than anybody else out there would be completely wrong, because we are all experienced. We are in delays all the time and playing in it all the time.”