Harrington relaxed despite tough conditions

It was the sort of day when the chief protagonists had to make do as best they could in appalling conditions which delayed everything at the K Club - from spectators getting into the venue to both teams setting off for their second official practice session.

When Ian Woosnam's charges eventually got started at the delayed time of 11.15am from the 10th tee, he had paired Padraig Harrington with Colin Montgomerie in the final group alongside Henrik Stenson and his partner from yesterday, Paul McGinley.

The Dubliner found it enjoyable to play in the foursomes format alongside the Scot, who between them have enjoyed much success as a partnership in previous Ryder Cups.

"We lost the money but we had a good day and an enjoyable game," quipped Harrington afterwards.

"That's two days in a row now we have lost one-down to an eagle on the final hole," before adding he would like to play alongside Montgomerie once more when proceeding start proper on Friday.

"Obviously, I can't think of anybody on the team who wouldn't relish the chance to play with Monty in a Ryder Cup. He's one of the best players in the world in Ryder Cup format."

Harrington went on to say Woosnam was doing a fine job as team captain.

"He running things well and at this stage you can't reinvent the wheel. I think he's doing things as he see fit and he's doing it very well.

"You know he's not authoritarian style, like say Bernhard (Langer) was last time. He has a more relaxed approach, an arm around shoulder approach, a bit more like Sam Torrance was in 2002."

As for Woosnam's other pairings today, he sent out Jose Maria Olazabal with Robert Karlsson to play alongside Sergio Garcia and Luke Donald. The latter has been a much mooted combination come the weekend.

In the middle group Darren Clarke and Lee Westwood played alongside Paul Casey and David Howell.

It is no secret Clarke and Westwood enjoy each others company on and off the course and are best friends, so it would be no surprise to see them team up at some stage.

As for Casey, he is definitely the form-horse of the European team at present and any one of Woosnam's other 11 would welcome the chance to play alongside the Englishman over the first two days.