Rain leads to change in Ryder Cup format

NEWPORT, Wales, Oct. 1 (UPI) -- Friday's 7-hour weather delay led Ryder Cup organizers to change the format of the event that pits teams of U.S. and European golfers against each other.

Play began as scheduled Friday but was halted by persistent rainfall that made the Celtic Manor Resort course in Wales unplayable. Play resumed about 7 hours later, too late for Friday's scheduled two sets of competition to be completed.

Organizers said to finish the event Sunday the opening four ball matches would be completed Saturday, followed by six foursomes matches. There will then be a third session in which two foursome matches and four four ball matches would be contested.

The Ryder Cup would finish as usual with 12 singles matches.

It is expected that the third session will have to be completed Sunday before the singles matches.

The United States won the 2008 Ryder Cup and needs 14 of a possible 28 points to retain the trophy. The European team needs 14 1/2 points to take the cup. Teams earned one point for a match victory and 1/2 point for a draw.