Golf Ryder Cup: Europe's captain Olazabal arrives at Medinah with Ryder Cup - by Dour Ferguson

Jose Maria Olazabal stepped off the plane carrying the Ryder Cup, a familiar sight considering that Europe has won six of the past eight times.

It was who followed the captain off the plane that showed how much the dynamics of this event have changed over the years.

Olazabal flew over from London with only three of his 12 players — Paul Lawrie, Francesco Molinari and Ryder Cup rookie Nicolas Colsaerts. Everyone else was already here.

Five of the Europeans — Ian Poulter, Justin Rose, Peter Hanson, Graeme McDowell and Sergio Garcia — have homes at Lake Nona in Orlando, Fla.

Read more: Europe's captain Olazabal arrives at Medinah with Ryder Cup | savannahnow.com

Spain - Golf legend Seve Ballesteros, 54, passed away at his home in Pedreña

Seve Ballesteros, the charismatic Spanish golfer who won the Masters twice and the British Open three times and helped propel Europe’s rise in the Ryder Cup competition with the United States, passed away early Saturday morning at his home in Pedreña northern Spain, where his struggle with brain cancer had gained wide attention in the sports world. He was 54.

In March this year the Buenavista Golf course in Tenerife, the Canary Islands, designed by Seve Ballesteros, was recognized by the German edition of the prestigious magazine "Golf Journal" - as voted by readers of this publication - as the second best golf course in Europe, .

Tenerife has become increasingly popular as a European golf destination among German tourists who now outnumber British players who, until now, have traditionally been the most numerous. Last year Tenerife welcomed many golfers from all over the world including 54,000 German golfers, an increase of 11.5% over 2009, compared to 50,000 from the UK.

Seve Ballesteros was not only a great sportsman, but also a great EU "golf ambassador", who created respect and recognition for European Golf on courses all over the world.

EU-Digest

Golf: Europe Wins Ryder Cup

The American team almost overcame a 9½-6½ deficit on the first-ever Monday finish in the 83-year history of the Ryder Cup. But Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland beat Hunter Mahan in the final match to give the Europeans the needed 14 ½ points for them to regain the cup.

The Americans were trying to win the Ryder Cup for the first time on foreign soil since 1993. And they almost did. On the 16th hole, McDowell sank a slick downhill putt to go 2-up in his match with Mahan. At this point, the cup hung in the balance, with the score tied at 13 ½ to 13 ½.

The 35,000 fans on hand for the rain-delayed competition at Celtic Manor in Wales went ballistic. The huge gallery swarmed the fairways and greens and the European players and sprayed them with champagne, tossing out shirts and caps and memorabilia.

For more: Europe Wins Ryder Cup - Cybergolf

Golf: Ryder Cup 2010: Inspired Europe leading US 9.5 to 6.5 have victory in their sights

"I have always said it takes 12 to try to win a Ryder Cup. And all 12 on that course today performed brilliantly," he said. "And in my time, and it's been, what, 20 years since I first started playing in the Ryder Cup, I truly believe that was one of the greatest days for European golf that we have had. To turn a two-point deficit into a three-point lead was quite amazing today."

For more: Ryder Cup 2010: Inspired Europe have victory in their sights | Sport | The Guardian

Golf: Rain wreaks havoc at Ryder Cup; USA leads in two matches - by Steve DiMeglio

Rain showers, cool weather and strong winds wreaked havoc on Friday's opening day of the 38th Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor. So much so that Mother Nature's dark side has forced a change in the schedule.

A suspension of play lasting more than seven hours at the waterlogged Twenty Ten Course in the Usk Valley forced Ryder Cup officials from both sides of the Atlantic Ocean to consider a variety of options to ensure completion of the match-play competition between the USA and Europe.

For more : Rain wreaks havoc at Ryder Cup; USA leads in two matches - USATODAY.com

Golf: European Ryder Cup team ready to mop up at Celtic Manor

If the European team are to have a cutting edge at the Ryder Cup, then captain Colin Montgomerie knows they will depend on a good performance by the man dubbed the heir to Tiger Woods. 

Rory McIlroy might be be playing in the competition for the first time but the man with the most distinctive locks since Miguel Angel Jiminez' ponytail is key to European hopes.

Yes, the past few years have seen him play such scintillating golf that many seasoned observers believe he has the game to be the best in the world and a multiple major winner.

For more: BBC News - Ryder Cup team ready to mop up at Celtic Manor: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"

Golf - Wales: Ryder Cup rookies may prove decisive

Attention may focus on stars like Tiger Woods and Lee Westwood at the Ryder Cup, but the fate of the trophy could well be decided by the rookies that line up at Celtic Manor.

Of the 24 players who will battle it out in Wales, nearly half - six for Europe, five for the United States - will be getting their first experience of the rarefied atmosphere of Ryder Cup golf.

US skipper Corey Pavin has useful advice for the "new boys" aiming to help the Americans win the Ryder Cup on foreign soil for the first time since 1993.

Newport Golf Club is undoubtedly one of the most prestigious golf courses in South Wales having recently hosted a number of major Welsh and National Amateur events.  The Club is a well established members club, situated on the outskirts of Newport, some 6 miles to the west of the Celtic Manor Resort which is currently gearing itself up to host the Ryder Cup 2010.  The Club recently celebrated its centenary in 2003 and is well represented and highly regarded within Welsh Golf. Newport Golf Club is unquestionably a Welsh golfing must, an obvious choice for those wishing to enjoy a beautiful yet challenging course and experience the friendly and welcoming hospitality of a traditional member's club.  

For more: Ryder Cup rookies may prove decisive - The Times of India

Golf - Paul McGinley: 'It's very important we win the Ryder Cup again'

 My views are very strong," Paul McGinley says as, in his role as a vice-captain of the European Ryder Cup team, he displays the conviction his players will need if they are to wrest back the trophy from the United States in less than three weeks. "We're a European team. We're a European Tour. And even though a lot of our players are playing in America we have to draw the line. We need to finish the qualification for a European team on European soil."

Earlier this summer McGinley predicted a handsome European victory, but he sounds more cautious now. "A couple of months ago we were quite clear favourites – but things have changed. We have been hurt by Lee Westwood's injury. There's no doubt about that. It's going to be an unknown factor until Lee turns up that week and we see how he feels, having not competed since the Open. That's a disappointment for Europe.Earlier this summer McGinley predicted a handsome European victory, but he sounds more cautious now. "A couple of months ago we were quite clear favourites – but things have changed. We have been hurt by Lee Westwood's injury. There's no doubt about that. It's going to be an unknown factor until Lee turns up that week and we see how he feels, having not competed since the Open. That's a disappointment for Europe.

For more: Paul McGinley: 'It's very important we win the Ryder Cup again' | Sport | The Guardian

Golf Ryder Cup: Americans hold no fears for European Ryder Cup star Edoardo Molinari

Edoardo Molinari last night told America's golfing gods he fears no one. Europe's on-form star insists he'd even relish a Ryder Cup showdown with Tiger Woods because the game is easy to him right now.

Molinari will tee up at Celtic Manor next month af ter last week's stunning Johnnie Walker success impressed skipper Colin Montgomerie enough to hand him a wild card And the Ital ian sensat ion insists he won't let Monty down.

Molinari, who is joint second at the European Masters after a second-round six-under 65, said: "At the moment I don't fear anyone because when you play well, this game can be so easy.

For more: Americans hold no fears for European Ryder Cup star Edoardo Molinari - The Daily Record

GOLF: Europe's Ryder Cup team - by Karl MacGinty

Edoardo Molinari made it impossible for Colin Montgomerie to leave him out of the Ryder Cup side with his phenomenal performance at Gleneagles yesterday.

The young Italian's sensational victory at The Johnnie Walker Championship also helped copper-fasten Padraig Harrington's wild card for Celtic Manor.

For more: In Pictures: Europe's Ryder Cup team - Golf, Sport - Belfasttelegraph.co.uk

Golf: Peter Hanson Boosts Ryder Cup Hopes With Victory in Golf's Czech Open - by Peter-Joseph Hegarty

Peter Hanson of Sweden beat Ireland’s Peter Lawrie and Gary Boyd of England in a playoff to win golf’s Czech Open today and move into the automatic selection places for Europe’s Ryder Cup team.  Hanson won with a birdie at the second extra hole after the three men ended on 10-under par 278 at Celadna. The Swede had slumped to a 2-over par 74 in the final round, with Lawrie and Boyd scoring 66 and 68.

With one event left, Hanson rises to eighth in Europe’s Ryder Cup points. Miguel Angel Jimenez of Spain is in ninth, the final automatic spot, and England’s Paul Casey drops to 10th. The match with the U.S. takes place at Celtic Manor, Wales, on Oct. 1-3.

For more: Peter Hanson Boosts Ryder Cup Hopes With Victory in Golf's Czech Open - Bloomberg

Golf: Ryder Cup problems mounting up for Europe's Montgomerie

Just when it seemed everything — woeful form of Tiger Woods included — was pointing to Europe winning back the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor in October, nobody can be quite so sure any more.

Lee Westwood is injured, Henrik Stenson and now Ian Poulter sick, captain Colin Montgomerie has personal troubles and there is the real possibility one of four more stars — Padraig Harrington, Justin Rose, Luke Donald and Paul Casey — might have to be omitted.

For more: Ryder Cup problems mounting up for Europe's Montgomerie - Golf, Sport - Belfasttelegraph.co.uk

Golf: McDowell returns to action in America

Graeme McDowell returns to action in America for the first time since his historic US Open Championship victory in June when he heads a strong European Tour contingent at this week’s WGC – Bridgestone Invitational.

The Northern Irishman has enjoyed a whirlwind six weeks since he became the first Briton to win the US Open in 40 years – one of several high profile European Tour successes on the other side of the Atlantic this year.

With Ian Poulter and Ernie Els having already captured the Accenture Match Play and CA Championship respectively in the first half of the season, McDowell will attempt to make it three wins out of three for European Tour Members – of which there are 45 in this week’s field - in World Golf Championship events in 2010.

For more: McDowell returns to action in America - European Tour

The Press Association:Golf - Europe unable to close gap

For the complete report from The Press Association click on this link

Golf - Europe unable to close gap

Europe today failed to find the fast start they needed to boost their hopes of a fourth successive Ryder Cup victory at Valhalla. Trailing 9-7 going into Sunday's 12 singles matches, captain Nick Faldo gambled by putting Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood and Padraig Harrington at the bottom of the order, with Sergio Garcia sent out first against American Anthony Kim. But by the time Harrington teed off the American side were ahead in eight of the other 11 matches and Garcia was heading to a heavy defeat in a highly-charged contest.