Preferred lies used again on second day

STRAFFAN, Ireland, Sep 23 (Reuters) Ryder Cup officials retained preferred lies for this morning's fourballs with more rain forecast.

''There is no significant change in the condition of the fairways and with the potential for some heavy showers we have decided to keep the preferred lies in operation for the morning session,'' chief referee Andy McFee said in a statement.

Players used preferred lies for both the fourballs and foursomes on the opening day on Friday.

According to the rules on preferred lies, a ball may be lifted without penalty and cleaned. Before hitting it, the player must mark its position. Having lifted the ball, he must place it on a spot within six inches of and not nearer the hole than where it originally lay.

After four days of heavy wind and rain -- conditions more likely to favour the Europeans -- the skies cleared for the start of competition play on Friday although sunny weather gave way to showers in the afternoon.

It rained in the early morning on Saturday and forecasters said the weather would remain unsettled.

''We can expect more numerous showers and isolated thunderstorms here at the K Club today with breezy conditions this morning becoming lighter this afternoon,'' meteorologist Mike McClellan said.

REUTERS PM ND1328