Quintin Jardine's blog

I’ve rarely seen anyone who’s as good a television interviewee as Sir Terry Matthews, the owner of Celtic Manor, the man who brought the Ryder Cup to Wales. With Chris Hollins on BBC Breakfast yesterday, at 7:30 BST, under grey skies but in dry conditions, he sparkled as he told the viewers of the three principles that had under-pinned his new course’s construction. ‘Drainage, drainage, and drainage,’ he said. ‘And if in doubt, put a little more drainage in.’

With those words, he demonstrated just how hard it can rain in Wales, for a couple of hours later, play had to be suspended because the course was waterlogged.

But even half a day’s suspension couldn’t kill the atmosphere of the competition. If a sporting event can have charisma, the Ryder Cup has cornered the market. Some years are better than others but very few area total bust, such is the commitment of both teams. Having the right captain helps, undoubtedly. Two years ago, the USA did in Paul Azinger. Europe didn’t, in Nick Faldo. In truth he was never wanted in the role and never welcomed, that he was given it only because the selection committee didn’t have the balls to reject him. (And why should it have? Faldo played in more Ryder Cups that anyone else in history, and scored more points.) Even then he’d have retained the trophy for Europe if his three top players had done what was expected of them.

No problems, it seems, this time. Win or lose . . . and the first four matches aren’t even finished yet, nobody knows how it will pan out, but already the two captains have caught the eye, Corey ‘Crazy’ Pavin for his courageous pairings, and Colin Montgomerie for his attention to detail. The rain delay helped the USA for sure, as they are notoriously poor starters, but that has simply levelled the playing field. Lee Westwood looks hungry, Tiger Woods has his game face on, and we are in for fun.

I’m off to watch it.