RYDER CUP DIARY: Team Europe WAGs go up against their US rivals in fashion stakes at Thursday’s opening ceremony… while Brooks Koepka is the only member of his side to fly solo

• The 44th edition of the Ryder Cup gets underway in Rome, Italy on Friday 
• Team Europe’s WAGs will also go up against their US rivals in the fashion stakes 
• Brooks Koepka was the only member of the US squad to make the trip solo 

It is a battle that may well be as keenly contested as the Ryder Cup itself. Over the next few days, plenty of eyes and camera lenses will be on the other halves of the players, with Europe’s WAGs going up against their US rivals in the fashion stakes.

Expect some high-end threads at Thursday’s opening ceremony. It is understood that partners are given an allowance of £3,500 to spend on their outfits for the grand event, which kicks off at 3pm.

The opening ceremony will see partners of players given an allowance of around £3,500 to spend (Rory McIlroy pictured with wife Erica Stroll in Rome)

Koepka flies solo 

Much has been made of the fact Brooks Koepka was the only member of the US side to fly solo to Rome, although he had just competed in a LIV tournament in Chicago.

As for the Europeans, a number jetted in with low-cost carriers. Matt Fitzpatrick’s bag man Billy Foster mixed with the masses on a Jet2 flight from Leeds-Bradford and Swedish sensation Ludvig Aberg (above) took a Wizz Air service from Malaga.

Brooks Koepka was the only member of the US side to fly solo to Rome after just finishing a LIV tournament in Chicago 

Fans to spend big  

If you’re coming to the Ryder Cup, bring your wallet. In the giant retail store, a Ralph Lauren cashmere hoodie will set you back €449, and polo shirts in the colours of each team are going for around €75. Ball markers and divot repairers cost €19 and it is a similar story at food and drink outlets on the course.

A double cheeseburger and fries is just short of €20, and cocktails come in at €18.

To rent a phone charger it is €20 — to buy one is €40.

Events cancelled in respect of Bonallack 

A series of official events were cancelled this week as a mark of respect for Sir Michael Bonallack, who died on Tuesday at the age of 88. 

Bonallack, viewed by many as Britain’s greatest amateur golfer, played in nine Walker Cups and won the British amateur title five times. The man of Essex then served as secretary of the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews from 1983 to 1999, and was knighted in 1998.

A series of official events were cancelled as a mark of respect for Sir Michael Bonallack who died aged 88 on Tuesday 

Lacklustre organisation 

The organisation of this Ryder Cup has left a little to be desired. Journalists are housed at hotels on the outskirts of Rome and brought in by bus. 

However, there have been issues with time-keeping which came to a head on Wednesday when a 7.30am shuttle was delayed by 90 minutes, meaning a group of reporters missed the chance to question Rory McIlroy at his press conference — arguably the biggest interview of the week so far.

Issues with official media transport meant journalists missed the chance to question Rory McIlroy

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