The bump brigade was out in force on Thursday as the Ryder Cup WAGs arrived at the opening ceremony to cheer on their husbands and partners.
Leading the way was wife of Alex Noren, Jennifer, who showcased her growing baby bump in a tight fitting belted dress as she entered the Saint Quentin-en-Yvelines in the outskirts of Paris.
Following on behind was her pregnant pal Dowd Simpson, wife to Webb Simpson, who cut a chic figure in a black high necked dress.
It was Europe vs US when it came to fashion with the army of European WAGs dressed in white and toting the EU flag compared to the American women who wore black and waved the stars and stripes for their team.
Pregnant Jennifer Noren (centre) and Dowd Simpson (right) lead the way of the Ryder Cup WAGs at the opening ceremony of the golfing tournament in Paris on Thursday
Ahead of the ceremony the European group gathered for a photograph outside the stadium making for a very glamorous line up
Each of the wives and girlfriends of the 24 players, captains and vice-captains wore a silk scarf in red white and blue colours in honour of the host nation’s flag. Pictured: Team Europe captain Thomas Bjorn’s girlfriend Grace Barber (centre left) and Sergio Garcia’s wife Angela Akins (centre right)
Golfing pro Tiger Woods made his way into the stadium hand in hand with his girlfriend Erica Herman who looked glam in a pair of oversize shades
Ahead of the ceremony the European group gathered for a photograph outside the stadium making for a very glamorous line up.
Each of the wives and girlfriends of the 24 players, captains and vice-captains wore a silk scarf in red white and blue colours in honour of the host nation’s flag.
They were all dressed in a navy coat and asked to wear nude shoes for the photo call, with each of the women also sporting a gold ribbon, commonly associated with raising awareness of childhood cancer.
Of course no WAG is complete without a pair of shades with not one woman going without their sunglasses for today’s event.
Former Premier League star David Ginola played host to a Ryder Cup opening ceremony on Thursday night alongside English band Kaiser Chiefs who played in front of a partisan European crowd before The Patrouille de France flew over.
The US team opted for black ensembles, and could be seen carrying the American flag as they cheered on their partners Pictured (L-R) Amy Mickelson, Jena Sims, Paulina Gretzky and Allison Stokke
Ebba Karlsson, wife to Robert Karlsson, was particularly enthusiastic as she waved her European flags to the crowds at the opening ceremony
Tiger Woods and fellow US team member Phil Mickelson could be seen pledging theur allegiance as the national anthem was played during this evening’s ceremony
Erica took her seat without Woods as he was required to make his way up on stage for the official opening of the golfing tournament
Ginola welcomed Team USA captain Jim Furyk and Team Europe captain Thomas Bjorn to the stage before Furyk gave a grandiose speech where he made reference to France’s gifting of the Statue of Liberty to America in 1886 before introducing his team.
Tiger Woods was introduced last by Furyk with the biggest cheer of their announcement reserved for the legendary 14-time major winner.
After a performance from French singer Jain, the captains then announced their pairings for the four fourball matches taking place on Friday morning.
Brooks Koepka and Tony Finau of the USA will take on Justin Rose and Jon Rahm in the first match of the 42nd Ryder Cup, with Dustin Johnson and Rickie Fowler taking on Rory McIlroy and Thorbjorn Olsen after that.
The final two matches of the morning see Furyk unleash four major winners.
Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas face Paul Casey an Tyrrell Hatton, while Patrick Reed and Woods take on Open champion Francesco Molinari and Tommy Fleetwood.
Sergio Garcia’s wife Angela Akins (pictured) showcased her pearly white smile as she entered the stadium toting her European flag
There was a jubilant atmosphere among the US team as Amy Mickelson, Jena Sims and Paulina Gretzky shared a joke ahead of the ceremony
Not one of the European WAGs went without their sunnies today as they assembled for a group photo ahead of the opening ceremony
WHO ARE THE RYDER CUP WAGS?
The Ryder Cup gets underway on Friday and the excitement levels are bigger than ever before following Tiger Woods’ sensational victory in the season-ending Tour Championship on Sunday.
As 24 of the biggest stars from the world of golf prepare to go head-to-head at Le Golf National in Paris, fans worldwide will be captivated by three immense days of action.
While fans from across Europe and America will descend on the Albatros Course come Friday to cheer on their idols, the Ryder Cup will mean more to some than others.
As both Ryder Cup rookies and veterans get ready to battle it out in Paris in the most pressurised golfing environment, they will be backed all the way by their wives and girlfriends. Here, Sportsmail has taken a look at all 26 WAGs…
TEAM EUROPE
CAPTAIN: Thomas Bjorn – Grace Barber
Bjorn, captaining Europe for the first time, will be accompanied by his girlfriend Grace Barber at Le Golf National over the next week.
And Grace will understand the pressure Bjorn will be under this week as she herself works as a freelance sports TV producer.
Bjorn has three children, Filippa and twins Oliver and Julia with his former wife Permilla.
Europe captain Thomas Bjorn will be cheered on by his partner Grace Barber – a sports TV producer – this week
Paul Casey – Pollyanna Woodward
Casey will be supported by Pollyanna Woodward in Paris as he gears up for his fourth Ryder Cup appearance for Europe.
Casey and Pollyanna, who works as a TV presenter, have been dating since 2011, where they first met at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
They welcomed their first son – Lex – in September 2014 before getting married in January 2015.
English star Paul Casey has been with Pollyanna Woodward since 2011 and they got married in January 2015
Tommy Fleetwood – Clare Craig
Fleetwood is married to his manager Clare Craig, with the pair tying the knot back in 2017.
The couple married in the Bahamas, shortly after the golf star competed in the Hero World Challenge. Two months earlier, Clare gave birth to their baby boy, Franklin, on September 28.
Before working for her husband, Clare worked at Hambric Sports Management and was the company’s European vice president.
Tommy Fleetwood will be fully supported by his wife Clare Craig in Paris this week as he begins his challenge against the US
Sergio Garcia – Angela Garcia
Garcia, one of Bjorn’s wildcard picks due to his experience with Europe, wedded Angela back in Texas on July 29, 2017.
Since meeting Angela, the Spaniard finally broke his major duck, winning the Masters in 2017.
Angela – born in Texas – has worked as a golf reporter for Fox Sports Southwest and moved to Florida after landing a job on the Golf Channel. She is a keen golfer herself, having played for the women’s team at University of Texas with a handicap of three.
The experienced Sergio Garcia will be backed by his wife Angela, a golf reporter, at Le Golf National this week
Tyrrell Hatton – Emily Braisher
Hatton is one of five rookies in Europe’s side and his girlfriend Emily Braisher will be giving him her full support on his debut.
Emily recently graduated from Nottingham Trent University and has since opted to travel the world with Hatton as he takes on the toughest courses in golf.
She has a blog called ‘Wife on Tour’ in which she writes about her thoughts, feelings and experiences while travelling around with one of the most talented golfers in the world.
Tyrell Hatton will need the support of his girlfriend Emily Braisher as he makes his debut at the Ryder Cup
Rory McIlroy – Erica Stoll
McIlroy will be hoping to get over his final round disappointment at the Tour Championship. He will be supported by his 29-year-old wife Erica Stoll.
The pair have been together for four years now and got married in April in Ireland last year at a castle in front of guests including Stevie Wonder and Coldplay’s Chris Martin.
Erica works as a PGA tournament manager and was in fact the employee who came to his rescue when McIlroy nearly ruined the Ryder Cup Miracle at Medinah by oversleeping.
Rory McIlroy will be backed by his wife Erica Stoll, who currently works as a PGA tournament manager
Francesco Molinari – Valentina Molinari
2018 Open champion Molinari married Valentina back in 2007 in Italy before they moved to England where they currently reside.
She has an MBA in London from the European Business MBSC and used to travel with Francesco around the world, before they had two children together.
Valentina plays a huge role in Molinari’s golf, according to him. After his victory at Carnoustie, he said: ‘Big credit to my wife that watches me all the time. I don’t know how she does it. I couldn’t do it.’
2018 British Open champion Franesco Molinari married his wife Valentina back in 2007 and she will be in Paris supporting
Alex Noren – Jennifer Kovacs
Noren has been rewarded with a place in Bjorn’s 12-man team following his stand-out performances on the European Tour. He will be cheered on by his wife Jennifer Kovacs this week and the pair have a daughter together called Iris.
Jennifer was born in Stockholm and studied at Stockholm University, graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Management and Marketing.
After her studies, she worked as a marketing assistant at Abbot – a hospital and healthcare company. She then ran a podcast called OPodden, which interviewed successful Swedish women with the aim to inspire and empower them.
36-year-old Swede Alex Noren, a Ryder Cup rookie, will be cheered on by his wife Jennifer in Paris this week
Ian Poulter – Katie Poulter
‘Mr Ryder Cup’ will have his wife Katie present in Paris as he looks to make more memories for his fans.
The pair are one of the longest-standing couples on the PGA Tour – they met in 1995 and tied the knot in 2007. When they first met, Katie was working as a nurse.
They have four children together, called Aimee-Leigh, Luke, Lily-Mai and Joshua. They currently live as a family together in Florida.
Ian Poulter – who has fond times with Europe – will be looking to make more memories at the Ryder Cup alongside Katie
Jon Rahm – Kelley Cahill
Rahm, another debutant at this year’s Ryder Cup, will have his girlfriend of three years – Kelley Cahill – spurring him on at Le Golf National.
They met each other when they were Arizona State University and the highly talented Spaniard proposed earlier this year.
Rahm’s American girlfriend was a student-athlete at university and she competed as a javelin thrower, as well as being a handy tennis player.
Highly talented Spaniard Jon Rahm met Kelley Cahill at Arizona State University and they got engaged earlier this year
Justin Rose – Kate Rose
Rose met Kate all the way back in 2000, while the latter – who used to be a former international gymnast – was working as an assistant at IMG, which was the firm that represented the Englishman.
They married six years later in 2006 and they now live with their two children, Leo and Lottie.
The pair run a homelessness charity together, with the Kate and Justin Rose Foundation aiming to help fight childhood hunger, as well as offer education and experiences in the Orlando area.
Leading English star Justin Rose met Kate back in 2000 and they now live with their two children in Florida
Henrik Stenson – Emma Lofgren
Emma Lofgren is usually found at tournament’s supporting her husband and the Ryder Cup will be no different.
They got married in 2006 in Dubai and they have three children together – Lisa, Karl and Alice. They moved to Orlando in 2012, they now live at Lake Nona golf and country club, with Rose becoming very close friends with Stenson.
The couple met through mutual golfing friends. Emma played the sport at the University of South Carolina where she majored in Public Relations and Media but she never turned pro.
2016 British Open champion Henrik Stenson married Emma Logfren in 2006 and they now have three children together
P.S. Thorbjorn Olesen
The Danish rookie enjoys using his social media channels, but doesn’t appear to be in a relationship…
TEAM USA
CAPTAIN: Jim Furyk – Tabitha Furyk
Furyk met his wife Tabitha at the 1995 Memorial Tournament, while he was a young professional, and they got married five years later.
They became one of the more recognisable couples on tour and have two kids together, Caleigh Lynn and Tanner James. Furyk won the US Open in 2003, between the birth of his two children.
Meanwhile, Tabitha does plenty of work within the Jim & Tabitha Furyk Foundation, which helps families and children in need.
United States captain Jim Furyk married Tabitha in 2000, five years after meeting at the Memorial Tournament
Bryson DeChambeau – Sophia Phalen
DeChambeau is currently dating Instagram model Sophia Phalen and they have been going out for a couple of months.
Tennessee-born Sophia, who has just under 60,000 followers on Instagram, is a nursing student.
She previously studied kinesiology and nutrition at Chapman University – a private university in California.
American star Bryson DeChambeau is currently dating Instagram model Sophia Phalen
Tony Finau – Alayna Finau
Finau, one of Furyk’s wildcard picks, will be cheered on by his wife Alayna this week during his first Ryder Cup appearance.
The pair have four children together: Jraice, Leilene Aiaga, Tony, and Sage. They are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Finau once missed the chance to play golf with Tiger Woods because his wife was about to give birth to their fourth child. His family have been supportive of him on the golf course, and their kids have been seen supporting him.
Tony Finau will be cheered on by his wife Alayna at Le Golf National when it gets underway
Rickie Fowler – Allison Stokke
Remember that famous and amusing photo of Fowler all alone during the United States’ winning picture at Hazeltine as the others celebrated with their partners.
Well Fowler will now be supported by Allison Stokke and they have been dating for a year now.
She is a sportswear model and pole vaulter – just missed out on the last two Olympics in US trials.
After the famous picture of him all alone at last year’s Ryder Cup, Rickie Fowler will now have the support of Allison Stokke
Dustin Johnson – Paulina Gretzky
This is one of the most high-profile couples on tour. World No 1 Johnson is engaged to Paulina, daughter to NHL legend Wayne Gretzky.
They met in 2009 but only officially started dating in 2013, and just seven months later they got engaged.
Paulina is an actress, model and singer and the pair live in Florida together with their two sons: Tatum and River Jones.
Dustin Johnson is engaged to Paulina Gretzky and they have two sons together: Tatum and River Jones
Brooks Koepka – Jena Sims
Koepka has been dating Jena Sims for a year now and the latter is living the high life as a actress and model currently.
Jena, who has 115,000 followers, has appeared in several films, including Attack of the 50 foot Cheerleader and Sharknado 5.
She also runs her own non-profit organisation called Pageant of Hope, which was set up to help underprivileged kids.
Brooks Koepka with his girlfriend Jena Sims after winning the 2018 PGA Championship
Phil Mickelson – Amy Mickelson
The pair have been married since 1996, so Amy has plenty of experience watching her husband at the Ryder Cup.
They met back in 1992 during their studies at Arizona State University, with Amy performing as a cheerleader on the Phoenix Suns NBA Cheerleading squad. They now have three children together – Amanda, Sophia and Evan.
Amy was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009 and as a result, Mickelson suspended his participation on the PGA Tour. Following an 11-month battle, she beat cancer and she has since been heavily involved in fund-raising for breast cancer research.
Phil and Amy Mickelson have been married since 1996 after meeting four years earlier at Arizona State University
Patrick Reed – Justine Reed
Justine has plenty of experience on the golf course with 2018 Masters winner Reed, enjoying a stint as his caddie for two years.
They first set eyes upon each other at Augusta State University before committing their future together in 2012, when Reed was just 22. They now have two children together, Windsor-Wells and Barrett Benjamin.
Before Reed turned professional in 2011, Justine had already studied two undergraduate degrees and was a nurse prior to becoming his caddie.
2018 Masters winner Patrick Reed married Justine back in 2012, when he was at the tender age of just 22
Webb Simpson – Taylor Dowd Simpson
They met at Wake Forest University and ended up marrying each other in January 2010.
The American duo, who are devout Christians, have four children – Mercy, James, Willow and Wyndham.
Following college, Taylor Dowd pursued a career in acting in both Los Angeles and Atlanta.
Webb Simpson met Taylor Dowd at Wake Forest University and they ended up marrying each other in January 2010
Jordan Spieth – Annie Verret
Spieth got engaged to childhood sweetheart Annie Verret on Christmas Eve last year.
Annie, who is an event coordinator with the First Tee of Dallas – an organisation which uses golf to mentor young people – has supported him during some of his biggest career victories to date.
They first met at high school in Texas but despite attending different colleges, they still stayed together.
Jordan Spieth got engaged to childhood sweetheart Annie Verret on Christmas Eve last year
Justin Thomas – Jillian Wisniewski
Justin has been dating Jillian since 2016 and was on hand to see her boyfriend’s major victory at the PGA Championship last year.
Jillian, born in 1993, graduated with a BA in Journalism from the University of Kentucky, where she worked for its TV department.
She now enjoys working as a Production Business Manager at McGarry Bowen in Chicago.
Justin Thomas has been dating Jillian Wisniewski since 2016 and she saw his major victory in 2017 at the PGA Championship
Bubba Watson – Angie Watson
They met at the University of Georgia, while the left-handed golfer was playing in a basketball game.
The pair tied the knot in 2004, with Angie then beginning to manage the business side of her husband’s golf career.
They have two adopted children, Caleb and Dakota, and they should all be in Paris cheering on Team USA.
Two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson met his wife Angie at the University of Georgia before marrying in 2004
Tiger Woods – Erica Herman
Woods will be the main talking point at the Ryder Cup, with many fans following his every step. He will also be watched closely by his girlfriend Erica Herman.
They have been dating since September 2017 – with the pair first spotted together at the Presidents Cup last autumn. They soon after made their relationship public and Herman has since spent plenty of time on the course with Woods.
33-year-old Herman had previously managed the 14-time major winner’s pop-up restaurant, The Woods.
Tiger Woods was pictured alongside his girlfriend Erica Herman at the Presidents Cup