DESPITE the Herculean efforts of the Celtic Manor ground staff after more torrential rain on Saturday night, the Ryder Cup headed into a Monday for the first time in its 83-year history.

Emphasising just what kind of task head groundsman Jim McKenzie and his staff plus helpers faced, the Celtic Manor announced that more than half the month’s normal rainfall fell on the resort between 5.30pm on Thursday and 10am on Sunday.

A total of 2.04in of rain fell in that period, when the average for the month is 3.7 in. The rain which swept in after play finished on Saturday totalled 15.4mm before easing at 10am, allowing play to make a belated start at 1.30pm yesterday.

Spectators were told to stay away from the course until 11am, either remaining at home if they lived locally, or staying in their cars in the park-and- ride areas because of safety concerns with so much mud and water on the fringes where the fans thronged in their tens of thousands.

A second prolonged delay means the tournament ends on what all of Europe hopes will be magic Monday today, with the 12 singles delayed a day.

Only spectators with tickets valid for yesterday will be admitted to the Celtic Manor Resort today, with the singles due to start at 9.05am.

Ground transportation to the Celtic Manor will be available only from the east park and ride at Llanwern from 6.15am, with the last bus leaving at 3pm and the final bus leaving the resort roughly two hours after the end of the singles.

The west park and ride from Tredegar House will be closed, and those holding tickets are being told to use the east park and ride instead. Ryder Cup Europe has also announced that the public will not be able to buy tickets for play today.

And all those restrictions, with the exception of those in the vicinity of the Tredegar House park and ride, will remain in place today.

The Ryder Cup closing ceremony will take place today half an hour after the end of play.