BBC SPORT | Golf | Ryder Cup | Ryder Cup diary: Sunday



By Sean Martin and Mark Barden BBC Sport Online at The Belfry

Holy greens

Many golfers treat the putting surface with reverence but at The Belfry on Sunday morning the greens of the ninth and 18th holes really did take on a hallowed appearance.

A church service was staged at 0900 BST and the grandstands overlooking the greens were packed with fans.

Many of those who attended would have been seeking a little divine intervention and hoping their prayers for a European victory will be answered.

Elin's dilemma

It's not easy being Tiger Woods' girlfriend - just ask Elin Nordegren, the Swedish blonde who has found herself almost as much in the spotlight at The Belfry as Tiger himself.

But when Sunday's singles pairings were announced she would have had two affections tugging at her heart-strings.

Nordegren, before she became the companion of the world's best golfer, was nanny for Jesper and Mia Parnevik's four children.

It was the Swedish wild card who introduced the pair and her loyalties will be divided as Woods and Parnevik face each other in Sunday's final singles match.

But at least Europe can be guaranteed the support of one Nordegren - the Parneviks replaced Elin with her twin sister Josephin.

Jasper's other job

The tension surrounding the singles matches means the Ryder Cup's final day is no laughing matter.

But one man who may be able to detect the funny side of it is TV comedian Jasper Carrot.

A keen golfer, the Brummie star has got his own desk in the media centre to cover the competition for Golf Monthly magazine.

And if that wasn't a nice enough little number in itself, he only lives a 15-minute drive away from The Belfry.

Loyal fans

There was little doubt about the hunger golf fans have for the Ryder Cup prior to the 34th contest getting underway, but the patience of them is quite staggering.

On Sunday, more than two hours before the first match teed off, there were spectators in position around the first tee and in the grandstand around the green of the opening hole.

If that was commitment, it was nothing compared to the hardy souls who were already ensconced in the grandstand overlooking the 10th hole.

The opening singles match would not reach the tee for another four hours.

Betting blooper

The tension surrounding the final day of the Ryder Cup appears to have got to the people at boomakers Victor Chandler.

They have made the Americans 2/5 favourites to retain the trophy, with Europe 5/2 shots.

But a look at the odds quoted on the singles has Europe listed as favourite in seven of the matches and level in another.

With Europe needing only 6½ points to win, the figures don't quite add up.

Saturday's diary