Welcome to gloomy Wales: Rain arrives at Celtic Manor for start of Ryder Cup

Rain pounds Celtic Manor for start of Ryder Cup

NEWPORT, Wales — The Ryder Cup is getting off to a wet start.

Overnight rain continued to pour on Celtic Manor early Friday, leaving the course so soggy that officials said the opening session of matches would be preferred lies. That means players will be able to lift, clean and place their golf balls in the fairway.

That figures to put an even greater premium on accuracy off the tee. And Celtic Manor already is playing long because of the wet conditions. Lee Westwood and PGA champion Martin Kaymer are first out for Europe against the American duo of Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson.