Stars held up by Celtic fog

The start of the Wales Open at the 2010 Ryder Cup course Celtic Manor has been delayed by fog on Thursday morning.

Investment of £16million will be pumped into the course and facilities by the time Europe and America will do battle in two years' time, but the new lay-out on the valley of the River Usk means slow-clearing fog could be a problem.

That is the case on Thursday as play looks like being delayed towards lunch-time as scheduled early starters Colin Montgomerie, PGA winner Miguel Angel Jimenez and defending champion Richard Sterne were among the players kept waiting.

The expected long delay means Open champion Padraig Harrington is now not likely to get started until before nightfall as he was not due out until 12.45pm.