Golf:Europe captain Colin Montgomerie insists he is happy with the new format for the 2010 Ryder Cup, says that could well change if the result doesn't go his way.
After a rain delay of more than seven hours on the opening day at Celtic Manor, tournament officials announced changes to the schedule in order to try to finish as planned on Sunday evening. With the opening fourballs matches still to be completed, the second session of play will now comprise six foursome matches instead of the usual four, meaning all 12 players on both sides will be involved.
The third session of play will then feature two foursome and four fourball matches with the standard 12 singles matches to follow.
"I think it works very well," Montgomerie said. "It gives the opportunity for everybody to play golf. It was difficult enough to get my team down to 12, never mind eight, and now I can leave it at 12.
"We are still going to play eight fourballs, eight foursomes and 12 singles, so the integrity of the Ryder Cup remains intact.
"Weather permitting we finish on time on Sunday, which would be an amazing feat. Monday finishes are no good for any sport. I am quite happy with the proposed timetable, we'll see if I'm still happy when the match finishes."
The home side, attempting to regain the trophy lost at Valhalla two years ago, were ahead in three of the four matches when play was suspended at 9:45am due to the waterlogged Twenty Ten course. But when play eventually resumed at 5pm, the United States fought back to lead in two matches, trail in one and be level in the other at the close of play.
"We had a good first couple of hours and the second two hours was in the Americans' favour but there's no match that is more than two up or two down," Montgomerie added. "Everyone is still in the game but it's a very important session tomorrow to gain the momentum back.
"All credit to the American team in playing well the last hour and a half. My players will be slightly disappointed that they did not hole the putts they needed to, in particular that bad spell of 20 minutes.
"But this will ebb and flow for the next two days. I always said this was going to be close and I don't think anything less right now."
Montgomerie expressed most concern and sympathy for the 45,000 spectators who saw just four hours of actual play and had to endure terrible conditions for most of the day.
"We are used to these delays and have lovely team rooms and are spoilt rotten," Montgomerie added. "The people I feel sorry for are the spectators. They pay a lot of money and the appalling conditions made it very tough for them."
American captain Corey Pavin said: "It was a tough day, but the fans were great - they stuck around and waited around and I'm delighted we got back out.
"I'm pleased and very proud of the guys for how we came back.
"I think some very smart people got together and tried to figure the schedule out. Colin and I agreed it was a very good idea - allow the cup to finish on Sunday weather permitting and there's going to be a lot of golf to watch.
"I feel like this makes it a lot easier. Sitting four guys out is very brutal to do as a captain and it's nice they are all going out.
"I think it's going to be great - and tremendous for the fans and those watching on TV.
"I'll be up later tonight later than I anticipated, though, trying to figure it out after talking with the players and my assistant captains."