NEWPORT, Wales — Workers scurried around the greens with squeegees, furiously pushing the water away before every putt. Players sloshed down soaked fairways, searching for a spot to hit from that was somewhat dry.

Finally, there was no way to go on this morning.

The Ryder Cup was halted in the middle of the fourball matches because of heavy rain that turned Celtic Manor into a water-logged mess.

"The first thing I need is to find a hair dryer," quipped PGA championship winner Martin Kaymer, who played the opening match for Europe with Lee Westwood.

The home team was off to a good start, leading three of the four best-ball matches when play was suspended for the first time since the 1997 Ryder Cup in Spain.

"It's a shame," U.S. assistant captain Jeff Sluman said. "There's 10 years of planning that went into this, and we're held hostage by the weather."

The forecast called for the rain to move out by early afternoon.

"We will see play again this afternoon," said Mike McClellan, the Ryder Cup meteorologist. "I can't speak for the golf course, but weather-wise we should be fine."