Ryder Cup - the final practice day in pictures

The biennial, transatlantic duel between golf's greatest players begins tomorrow - yes, it's the 2010 Ryder Cup. Should be a guaranteed win for the Europeans, surely? We did invent the sport, after all ... Photograph: Tom Jenkins The US team includes the likes of former US Open champ Jim Furyk, aka The Grinder. Here he is, teeing off the second hole watched by team-mates Steve Stricker, Tiger Woods and Dustin Johnson Photograph: Tom Jenkins Among Europe's team is young Rory McIlroy, seen here getting some last minute chipping advice from coach Pete Cowan. Earlier this week, the Northern Irishman had a pop at Tiger Woods, saying he's lost his aura since you know what Photograph: Tom Jenkins Woods responded by saying he'd love to face McIlroy. But judging from today's practice, McIrloy could be right - Woods is no longer the indomitable force of old Photograph: Tom Jenkins Francesco Molinari plays his second shot to the 12th watched by his brother Eduardo. The Italians, aged 27 and 29 respectively, are both making their first appearances at the Ryder Cup Photograph: Tom Jenkins The standard of dress at Ryder Cups is typically woeful, but Hunter Mahan's hat cap 'n glasses combo really is a new low Photograph: Tom Jenkins Ricky Fowler and Phil Mickelson practiced together today for Team USA Photograph: Tom Jenkins These American fans seem rather proud. And rather tasteless too Photograph: Tom Jenkins Curiously, one of the grandstands at the seventh hole has been wrapped in picturesque hoarding. It's as if they're tempting people to whack balls at it. Anybody else think it's reminiscent of The Truman Show? Photograph: Tom Jenkins Europe's Ross Fisher tees off the 16th watched by partner Ian Poulter Photograph: Tom Jenkins Uh-oh. Montgomerie doesn't look too happy as he chats to Harrington. It's only a practice day Monty, calm down Photograph: Tom Jenkins Graham McDowell (left) celebrates with his partner Padraig Harrington after holing a chip on to the 14th green Photograph: Tom Jenkins The action moves away from the course to the formal opening ceremony. The wives and girlfriends of the players, wearing rather stylish coats, make their way to the stage led by Lisa Pavin and Gaynor Montgomerie Photograph: Tom Jenkins After a quick sprucing up, the men of the hour arrive, looking rather dapper though the cut of the collar on the American's shirts spoil things somewhat Photograph: Tom Jenkins The wives and girlfriends of the European players wave flags and cheer as the team come onto the stage and they realise their partners aren't wearing the same shirts as the Americans Photograph: Tom Jenkins Eyes front Tiger Photograph: Tom Jenkins ...upwards will do Photograph: Tom Jenkins Welsh songbird Katherine Jenkins gets a richly deserved round of applause Photograph: Tom Jenkins Wooh-ho captain, I'm over here. Stewart Cink makes himself know to Corey Pavin after the captain forgot to introduce him to the crowd Photograph: Tom Jenkins Remember the feeling of embarrassment when your mother shows off photos of you when you were a baby? That'll be something like the what Colin Montgomerie is feeling as a video is shown on the big screen highlighting his Ryder Cup career Photograph: Tom Jenkins A serious looking Monty prepares to announces his pairings for the first fourballs tomorrow morning Photograph: Tom Jenkins That's the ceremony over with, so the players depart the arena with their wives, except for Tiger Photograph: Tom Jenkins A happy looking Phil Mickelson with his wife Amy, who flew in late and is suffering with breast cancer Photograph: Tom Jenkins