Easy Jose! Jose Maria Olazabal and the merry Ryder Cup wives

Europe team captain Jose Maria Olazabal posing with the wives of the golf players (Getty Images)

While the players were seemingly getting an early night or perfecting their swings, the Europe team captain Jose Maria Olazabal could be found having his picture taken with their other halves during a pre-tournament gala dinner.

Quite why he felt the need to put his hands on their knees is not explained. The partners are (left to right starting on back row): Pernilla Bjorn, Katie Poulter, Kate Rose, Alison Clarke, Marian Lawrie, Ally McGinley, Susanne Styblo (partner of Miguel Angel Jimenez), Laurae Westwood, Diane Donald, Valentina Molinari, Kristin Stape (partner of Graeme McDowell) and Sanna Hanson. Rory McIlroy's girlfriend the tennis player Caroline Wozniacki is other wise engaged at the moment – playing tennis.