Europe and America were today beginning a ground-breaking Ryder Cup weekend at Celtic Manor in a frantic attempt to complete the tournament on schedule.

Captains Colin Montgomerie and Corey Pavin agreed a dramatic switch to the traditional format after more than seven hours of action was washed out in South Wales yesterday following torrential rain.

Officials are hoping that the alterations will allow one of world sport’s showpiece occasions to finish on time tomorrow night.

Initial fears were that a first ever Monday finish in the history of the tournament was inevitable after yesterday’s delay.

And that could still prove inevitable if forecasts of more heavy rain tomorrow morning prove accurate and cause a further suspension.

“This new timetable is a brilliant option,” said European captain Montgomerie.

“All credit to the organisers for coming up with a plan of attack and it’s great for the fans because Monday finishes are no good in any sport.

“It would be an amazing feat to finish on time considering we lost seven hours and 18 minutes yesterday.

Traditional

“As long as we play 28 matches — eight foursomes, eight fourballs and 12 singles — the integrity of the Ryder Cup remains intact.”

The timetable changes will see four sessions played instead of the traditional five.

Once yesterday’s fourballs were completed this morning, six foursomes matches were due to take the course.

They will be followed by a third session containing two foursomes and six fourballs which will be finished tomorrow morning — weather permitting — before the 12 singles bring a conclusion to the event.

Traditionally, two sessions of four foursomes matches and two sessions of four fourballs matches are played over the first two days.

The new format means that 12 players — instead of eight — will play in the remainder of the pairs matches in the tournament.

And there was backing for the new schedule from American captain Pavin.

“I think some very smart people got together and tried to figure this out,” he said.