A Wet and Windy Weekend Is Forecast

STRAFFAN, Ireland — The Ryder Cup weather forecast isn’t good, with heavy rain and high winds expected to continue through this afternoon, when the opening ceremonies are supposed to take place.

When play opens Friday, the forecast calls for wind and showers and temperatures in the mid 60s, with more wind and possible thunderstorms Saturday and clouds with, yes, possible showers Sunday.

Of course, the Emerald Isle is so green because rain is commonplace.

Ian Woosnam, captain of the European team, said bad weather would favor his team. Tiger Woods disagreed.

“We’ve all played in bad weather all around the world,” Woods said. “So that’s not anything new.”

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American Vaughn Taylor is a Ryder Cup rookie who has never played match play.

His first trip to Europe was when he was at Royal Liverpool in July to play the British Open, where he tied for 66th. Taylor said he’d be watching Woods to see how he handles his nerves.

“I’m not sure that he has any,” Taylor said.

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Colin Montgomerie said the Palmer Course is certainly an advantage for the European players because of the European Open at the K Club.

“We’re very used to this golf course, it’s a home course for us, it’s a home-course advantage,” Montgomerie said. “And it plays to us. We know the scoring, we know what’s going on around here, we’re very comfortable around there . . . therefore, our home advantage should help us.”