European Commission President Barroso hopes for European win

By Peter Auf der Heyde Sep 30, 2010, 17:09 GMT

Newport, Wales - The President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso on Thursday said he hoped that Europe will be crowned the Ryder Cup champions on Sunday.

Speaking at the official opening ceremony for the Ryder Cup the Portuguese politician said that it had been a long two years since the last competition in Valhalla.

Golf's Ryder Cup, which is held every two years and sees a 12-man team from Europe take on their American counterparts will be played at the Celtic Manor Resort in Newport, Wales from Friday to Sunday.

'Finally we are here for a competition that shows that sportsmanship is as important as sport itself.

'It is a great time for European sport and the Ryder Cup is of special significance as it sees sportsmen from different countries compete under the European banner.'

He said it was interesting to note that there are 12 stars in the European flag. 'And there are also 12 stars in Colin Montgomerie's team.'

At the ceremony, at which a number of well-known Welsh musicians and singers, such as Katherine Jenkins, performed, the president of the American PGA Jim Remy said that all 24 players at this year's Ryder Cup will write a unique chapter in golf history.

'I hope that you all play with honour and with sportsmanship and that you return home as friends, thereby keeping the legacy of the founder of the Ryder Cup, Samuel Ryder alive,' Remy said.

The US team captain Corey Pavin said that it was a dream come true for him to be able to captain an American Ryder Cup team. 'I especially want to thank my wife Lisa, who has worked for two years to make this dream come true.'

European captain Colin Montgomerie said that standing at the opening ceremony of the Ryder Cup was the proudest moment in his golfing career.

'I am certain that my players will play with their heart, they will play with passion and purpose. They earned the right to play through their raw talent, dedication and hard work.'

The two presidents then announced their first pairings for Friday's opening four games, which sees two players from each team compete against each other in a fourball.

In a fourball each golfer plays his own ball and the player with the lowest score on a hole wins the hole for his team.

If two or more players are equal the hole is halved.

Pavin chose Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson to be the first off the tee for the US, while Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer will be the European players to start.

'I think they are pretty good players', Pavin said when asked to explain why he had chosen Mickelson and Johnson to come out first.

The other pairings of the morning session see Stewart Cink and Matt Kuchar up against the Irish combination of Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy, while Steve Stricker and Tiger Woods face Ian Poulter and Ross Fisher.

Pavin was asked why he had chosen world number one Woods to come out third and he said: 'Because the number one slot was already occupied.'

The final pairing sees US Ryder Cup rookies Bubba Watson and Jeff Overton take on Luke Donald and Padraig Harrington.