GOLF’S Ryder Cup Wags put their famous other halves in the shade with a stylish display at the lavish opening ceremony in Hazeltine ahead of the first shots.
Paulina Gretzky – engaged to US Open champion Dustin Johnson – flew the flag for Team USA.
And Rory McIlroy’s American fiancée Erica Stoll swapped sides by waving a European flag as she grinned for the cameras in Minnesota.
The teams were lead out by captains Darren Clarke for Europe and Davis Love of Team USA.
Both captains dedicated the 41st Ryder Cup to the memory of Arnold Palmer after the golfing great’s recent death.
The teams also wore black suits as a mark of respect to Palmer, who played in six winning Ryder Cup teams and was also captain when the Americans won in 1975.
Clarke told the ceremony: “It is my honour and privilege to stand here as captain of Team Europe.
“It’s been a long road but now we’re at Hazeltine we’re delighted to be here. The start of the week was tinged with sadness both here and around the world at the passing of Arnold Palmer. Our thoughts are with Arnold and his family.
“There are many events in sport that are special but The Ryder Cup is quite simply unique. It’s almost impossible to explain but the best advice I ever received was from former captain Sam Torrance.
“He told me before my debut in 1997, ‘Darren, it’s like having your first child. Until you experience it, you can’t really appreciate what all the fuss is about.’ When I stood on the first tee during my debut at Valderrama in 1997 I knew what he was talking about.”
Clarke went on to talk about the pride he feels captaining Team Europe, before paying tribute to his vice-captains, the caddies, the Team Europe backroom team and the wives and partners.
After both the American and European anthems were played the Northern Irishman then spoke in glowing terms of his opposite number this week Davis Love III, and the American team, before introducing his players in alphabetical order.
The build-up to the event has been dominated by Danny Willett's brother's rant at US golf fans.
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Palmer, whose ashes were scattered at his beloved Latrobe Country Club earlier in the day after a private family funeral, passed away on Sunday at the age of 87 and tributes have been paid all week in the build up.
A video montage was played at the opening ceremony and a moment of silence was held in memory of the seven-time major champion, who played on six victorious Ryder Cup teams and captained one.
"We have a captain working for both teams, our friend Arnold Palmer," said Love.
"Arnold was my captain 20 years ago at the Presidents' Cup and he loved team play.
"His enthusiasm touched all of us, Arnold this one's for you."
Two legendary Ryder Cup players and captains - Jack Nicklaus and Tony Jacklin - were saluted for an iconic moment of sportsmanship.
Jacklin and Nicklaus were deadlocked in 1969, as was the overall score, heading to the last hole of the closest Ryder Cup matches to date when Nicklaus conceded a two-foot par putt to Jacklin rather than make him convert in the intense pressure for what resulted in the first Ryder Cup draw, at 16-16.
After receiving a long, standing ovation, Nicklaus said: "Arnold touched every aspect of the golf world including the Ryder Cup," said Nicklaus, who called his one-time rival, "the most popular person ever to play the game."
"We all feel his love and dedicate these games to his honor."
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