The Ryder Cup will deliver a global television audience of many millions The Ryder Cup is ready to tee off at Newport’s Celtic Manor after years of planning and millions of pounds in investment.
A global television audience will focus on Wales for golf’s biggest event.
A host of celebrities and former US presidents are among the daily 45,000 spectators set to watch the European and USA teams battle for the trophy.
The three-day tournament alternates between Europe and America and is in Wales for the first time.
The event brings to fruition the dream of the Celtic Manor’s owner, 67-year-old Welsh-born billionaire Sir Terry Matthews.
He poured his own cash into Wales’ bid to land the Ryder Cup ahead of strong competition from Scotland.
The Welsh Assembly Government and Newport council have both helped with staging the 2010 contest, the 38th between the two sides.
Thousands of schoolchildren in Newport and Cardiff, some 12 miles (19km) away, have been given the day off, partly to ease traffic congestion.
About 600 Gwent Police officers are based at the location, which is expecting to host a number of celebrity guests and senior politicians.
The Welsh weather threatens to play its own part with heavy rain on Friday morning, although it is expected to clear in the afternoon.
Forecasters predict Saturday may be the best day of the weekend, with the wind and rain returning on Sunday.
Tiger Woods is one of the stars of the three-day tournament Both teams have already spent three days practising at the site, including in the rain.
The tournament was officially opened by Wales’ First Minister Carwyn Jones on Thursday.
European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso was among the guests as European team captain Colin Montgomerie and United States team captain Corey Pavin named their line-ups for the first day.
On Wednesday, Prince Charles helped to open the Welcome to Wales concert at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium, starring Welsh stars Dame Shirley Bassey, Katherine Jenkins and 13-year-old Shaheen Jafargholi.
Swansea-born Hollywood actress and keen golfer Catherine Zeta Jones gave the opening address.
An estimated 600m homes in 185 countries will be able to watch the tournament on television.
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