Ryder Cup Betting / Paul Krishnamurty / 02 October 2010 /

After the rain, it's all change at Celtic Manor but our man still points us is in the right directions for today's action....

So much for making plans. Had torrential rain not played havoc with the opening day at Celtic Manor, I'd be previewing the third session and four named foursome groups. As it stands, we are barely halfway through the opening set of matches and forced to guess the later pairings in a significantly altered schedule. Rather than playing the usual five sessions, the Ryder Cup will now be played over four, with all 24 players out on the course for the three yet to start.

Consequently, I can't be too precise about the following tips, without knowing who each player will partnered with or up against. Nevertheless, there are some obvious clues. My previous tip for Europe to win the foursome session still applies.

Back the Molinari brothers

The pairings are uncertain, but it would be an enormous shock were Edoardo and Francesco Molinari not together. They won the World Cup together last year, and will take the world of beating again in my view. Indeed, that performance in the World Cup was about the only time in recent memory that Francesco held his nerve under pressure, which might have had something to do with his brother's support and shared responsibility.

Oppose Padraig Harrington's foursomes group

The revised schedule means that captains Montgomerie and Pavin have had to forget previous plans. Given that he was committed to playing four new players in the foursome session, and Padraig Harrington's struggles off the tee, the Irishman may have previously been due for an afternoon off. His inaccuracy could be a liability in foursomes, where only one ball is used. Partnering Harrington might not be the privilege it once was. Provided he's not up against other such weak links, I'll be opposing his group.

Oppose the American bombers in foursomes

Similarly, there are a few Americans who must now play a critical foursomes match, whereas they were previously expected to sit out this session. I'm thinking particularly of Bubba Watson and Jeff Overton, and to a lesser extent Dustin Johnson. The rough is pretty penal, with several lies offering no more than a chip out. Pairings whose prowess lies in the accuracy department, rather than power, could hold a significant advantage.

Oppose Phil Mickelson

This really doesn't look like the ideal conditions for Phil Mickelson. I could count on one hand the number of times Phil has produced his best golf in Britain, especially in bad weather. Nor has he ever struck me in previous Ryder Cups as the type to enjoy a long day with 36 holes of matchplay. Phil didn't fire in the opening match either, with Dustin Johnson producing his group's best work, so given the fact he is always respected by the market, I hope to be taking him on.

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