Robert Karlsson had the greatest reason to smile yesterday as the majority of the Europe Ryder Cup team boarded their flight from London to Kentucky in readiness for the 37th battle against the United States which begins at Valhalla on Friday. The Swede clinched his eighth tour win - his first for two years - the previous evening when he prevailed in the Mercedes Benz Championship in Cologne, a tournament which saw his teammates Miguel Angel Jimenez, Soren Hansen and Graeme McDowell figure prominently. Karlsson held off the late challenge of Italy's Francesco Molinari to finish on 13 under par for the four rounds and win by two strokes. "If this can help lift the spirits a bit, then great,"he said. "Hopefully everybody is happy for me and, we're all looking forward to it." Nick Faldo, Europe's captain, took great comfort from Karlsson's success in Germany. "I'm in the fortunate position of having 12 guys playing great golf," he said. The Europeans, who have held the upper hand in recent contests, were expecting a stormy welcome in more ways than one as the venue took a battering from the remnants of Hurricane Ike. A television tower overlooking the 12th hole and a number of trees on the course were sent crashing by 60mph gusts, while much of Louisville was plunged into darkness when power lines were brought down. There has been extensive disruption of air and road transport and the closure of numerous schools. Parts of Kentucky have been declared states of emergency due to the damage caused by the high winds. By the time official practice begins today, however, the weather should be more acceptable to players and spectators. The forecast was for little or no wind or rain.
wjohnson@thenational.ae