Ryder Cup confirms location change as weather pushes opening ceremony back

Organisers of the Ryder Cup have confirmed the singles matches of the 13th Junior edition of the competition will be competed away from Bethpage Black as a result of the weather conditions. The elements have been a huge challenge for organisers in New York.

With thunderstorms expected to hit Bethpage Black on Thursday, the opening ceremony was moved to Wednesday to miss the storms. The singles matches of the Junior Ryder Cup were also expected to be completed on the Thursday. However, with the weather set to turn nasty, those matches have been moved to Nassau Country Club in Glen Cove, New York. It's not a dramatic change of distance, as Google Maps states they are a 34-minute drive away from each other.

An official statement from the Ryder Cup confirming the change of location said: "Due to the forecast of inclement weather on Thursday, September 25 & the adjusted scheduling at Bethpage Black, the singles matches of the 13th Junior Ryder Cup will be contested at the historic Nassau Country Club in Glen Cove, New York, which hosted the foursome & four-ball matches on Tuesday & Wednesday."

It's the latest change organisers in New York have been forced to make. On Tuesday, organisers responded to the weather by bringing the opening ceremony from Thursday to 3pm ET this afternoon. However, the weather prompted the ceremony to be delayed by another six hours.

Traditionally, the opening ceremomny takes place on Thursday evening, where the captains reveal their pairings for Friday's morning matches. Team USA captain Keegan Bradley and Team Europe skipper Luke Donald will still be the ones to announce their pairs on Thursday, but it will not be on stage like usual.

When the ceremony was delayed, the Ryder Cup announced: "Due to the forecast of inclement weather on Thursday, September 25, the Ryder Cup Opening Ceremony has been moved to Wednesday, September 24. The Opening Ceremony pre-show will begin at 3pm. with the Opening Ceremony set for 4pm.

"Ryder Cup+ ticket holders for Thursday will now be admitted both Wednesday and Thursday. U.S Captain Keegan Bradley and European Captain Luke Donald will announce Friday morning's pairings as planned at 4 p.m. Thursday at a location to be determined."

At present, there is no update as to whether the start of the competition on Friday will be affected by the weather. What is for certain is Team Europe and Team USA will both be ready to do battle in New York.

USA President Donald Trump is expected to be at Bethpage Black for the commencement of competition on Friday. USA captain Bradley even said he expected the White Hosue Chief to be at the first tee when it begins.