Glamorous Ryder Cup WAGs share behind-the-scenes snaps as they support their partners 

The golf WAGs were out in force as the action got underway for the Ryder Cup today – with several sharing their support online with behind-the-scene snaps from the tournament’s opening ceremony last night.

Team Europe secured an exemption from US travel restrictions to allow players’ wives and girlfriends to fly out for the three days of action as they compete for the game’s most prestigious trophy.

And with an increasingly visible presence in previous matches between Europe and America, the Ryder Cup WAGs have already turned on the glamour as they shared supportive images on their social media accounts. 

The behind-the-scene snaps were taken amid the women attending the lavish gala dinner yesterday to kick off proceedings for the 43rd Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits, Wisconsin.

The golf WAGs were out in force as the action got underway for the Ryder Cup today – with several sharing their support online with behind-the-scene snaps from the tournament’s opening ceremony last night (pictured)

Team Europe secured an exemption from US travel restrictions to allow players¿ wives and girlfriends to fly out for the three days of action as they compete for the game's most prestigious trophy. Pictured, Diane Donald and Kristin McDowell

Team Europe secured an exemption from US travel restrictions to allow players’ wives and girlfriends to fly out for the three days of action as they compete for the game’s most prestigious trophy. Pictured, Diane Donald and Kristin McDowell

With an increasingly visible presence in previous matches between Europe and America, the Ryder Cup WAGs have already turned on the glamour as they shared supportive images on their social media accounts. Pictured, Diane Donald and Kristin McDowell

With an increasingly visible presence in previous matches between Europe and America, the Ryder Cup WAGs have already turned on the glamour as they shared supportive images on their social media accounts. Pictured, Diane Donald and Kristin McDowell

The behind-the-scene snaps (pictured) were taken amid the women attending the lavish gala dinner yesterday to kick off proceedings for the 43rd Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits, Wisconsin

The behind-the-scene snaps (pictured) were taken amid the women attending the lavish gala dinner yesterday to kick off proceedings for the 43rd Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits, Wisconsin

Diane Donald, wife of English golfer Luke Donald, delighted her followers with several snaps before the luxurious evening.

Firstly she enjoyed a countryside stroll before showcasing her glamorous cream ensemble, matched by the other WAGs, as well as Europe flag-waving poses.

She also shared a humorous snap from a car ride in which she joked: ‘When it’s raining and you have frizzy hair’, to explain why she was wearing a piece of fabric over her head.

Elsewhere, Helen Westwood, wife of Lee Westwood, who is one of the few golfers to win tournaments on five continents, shared  a snap of the beaming team riding in a coach to the ceremony.

Diane Donald, wife of English golfer Luke Donald, delighted her followers with several snaps before the luxurious evening. Pictured, two of the WAGs

Diane Donald, wife of English golfer Luke Donald, delighted her followers with several snaps before the luxurious evening. Pictured, two of the WAGs

Firstly she enjoyed a country stroll (pictured) before showcasing her glamorous cream ensemble, matched by the other WAGs, as well as Europe flag-waving poses

She also shared a humorous snap from a car ride in which she joked: 'When it's raining and you have frizzy hair', to explain why she was wearing a piece of fabric over her head. Pictured, a snap of her countryside stroll

Firstly she enjoyed a countryside stroll (pictured) before showcasing her glamorous cream ensemble, matched by the other WAGs, as well as Europe flag-waving poses

Couple Irene Scholz and Martin Kaymer pose together in a social media photograph

Couple Irene Scholz and Martin Kaymer pose together in a social media photograph

Rory McIlroy, Ian Poulter and Viktor Hovland were among the Team Europe golfers wearing suits on the glamorous night as they were accompanied by their partners.

In a light-hearted ceremony, captain Padraig Harrington and his USA counterpart Steve Stricker announced the pairings for the Friday foursomes session as both leaders gave speeches in front of a cheering crowd.  

Wearing designer heels and elegant dresses, the ladies wowed onlookers at the American Club in Kohler, Wisconsin. 

Over the next three days, as their husbands – acting as players, captain and vice-captains – take on the Americans at the nearby Whistling Straits golf course, the WAGs will play supporting roles.

One has been doing that out on the course itself. Helen Storey has been taking care of husband Lee Westwood’s golf clubs as his caddie for four years now – but the star’s son Sam will be taking over duties in the US so she can be with the other WAGs. 

Elsewhere, Helen Westwood, wife of Lee Westwood, who is one of the few golfers to win tournaments on five continents, shared a snap of the beaming team riding in a coach to the ceremony (pictured)

Elsewhere, Helen Westwood, wife of Lee Westwood, who is one of the few golfers to win tournaments on five continents, shared a snap of the beaming team riding in a coach to the ceremony (pictured)

Rory McIlroy, Ian Poulter and Viktor Hovland were among the Team Europe golfers wearing suits on the glamorous night as they were accompanied by their partners. Pictured, Diane Donald, right

Rory McIlroy, Ian Poulter and Viktor Hovland were among the Team Europe golfers wearing suits on the glamorous night as they were accompanied by their partners. Pictured, Diane Donald, right

She has been a lucky charm for Westwood as he went on to chalk up another European Tour win soon after she took on the role.

Another of the WAGs is a talented golfer herself. But then Angela Akins Garcia, wife of Spanish star Sergio, comes from a family of sports stars.

Her father is former American Football quarterback Marty Akins, while her cousin Drew Brees is current quarterback for the New Orleans Saints.

Emma Lofgren, partner of vice-captain Henrik Stenson, also has a sports background. The Swedish couple met at the University of South Carolina, where both played for the golf team, and she has since worked as a coach.

Northern Irish superstar Rory McIlroy has the sport’s supporting cast to thank for finding his wife. He met Erica Stoll at the 2012 Ryder Cup in Medinah, Illinois, when he famously overslept due to jet lag.

The wives and girlfriends were seated just above Team Europe ahead of the 43rd edition of the prestigious tournament

The wives and girlfriends were seated just above Team Europe ahead of the 43rd edition of the prestigious tournament

American and European wives and girlfriends: From left, Helen Storey (wife of Lee Westwood), Irene Scholz (Martin Kaymer), Angela Akins Garcia (Sergio Garcia), Diane Antonopoulos (Luke Donald), Katie Poulter (Ian Poulter), Emma Lofgren (Henrik Stenson), Pollyanna Woodward (Paul Casey), Kelley Cahill (Jon Rahm), Kristin Stape (Graeme McDowell), Caroline Harrington (Padraig Harrington), Erica Stoll (Rory McIlroy), Emily Braisher (Tyrrell Hatton), Wendy Honner (Shane Lowry), Clare Fleetwood (Tommy Fleetwood), Ebba Karlsson (Robert Karlsson)

American and European wives and girlfriends: From left, Helen Storey (wife of Lee Westwood), Irene Scholz (Martin Kaymer), Angela Akins Garcia (Sergio Garcia), Diane Antonopoulos (Luke Donald), Katie Poulter (Ian Poulter), Emma Lofgren (Henrik Stenson), Pollyanna Woodward (Paul Casey), Kelley Cahill (Jon Rahm), Kristin Stape (Graeme McDowell), Caroline Harrington (Padraig Harrington), Erica Stoll (Rory McIlroy), Emily Braisher (Tyrrell Hatton), Wendy Honner (Shane Lowry), Clare Fleetwood (Tommy Fleetwood), Ebba Karlsson (Robert Karlsson)

Erica, then an employee of Ryder Cup organisers PGA of America, offered him a lift to the course. The couple married in April 2017 and have a one-year-old daughter, Poppy.

Yet it is not all glamour in the world of professional golf. As Emily Braisher, the golf blogger and wife of English pro Tyrrell Hatton, has admitted: ‘The WAG lifestyle can come across as nothing short of glamour and bliss, but in reality living out of a suitcase can be tough at times.’

And Katie Poulter, wife of veteran pro Ian, has the sport to thank for one of her most embarrassing moments.

She once accidentally spent a $100 bill signed by golf legend Arnold Palmer which her husband kept in a safe at home. ‘I have no idea what she did with it,’ he later joked. ‘She probably went to get some groceries.’ 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk