The remnants of Hurricane Gordon are expected to hit British shores later this week, bringing gusts up to 75 miles (121 kilometres) per hour particularly to Northern Ireland and Scotland, forecasters said.

"Through this week it is expected to lose its strength, but the effects of the storm will be felt closer to home as the remnants influence the weather across the UK during the second half of the week," said the Met Office.

As well as high winds the hurricane could also bring heavy, prolonged rain in its wake, especially in northern and western areas, as well as large sea swells on south-west and west-facing beaches.

The warning came as American and European players began practicing for the Ryder Cup at the K-Club, 30 miles (48 kilometres) west of the Irish capital Dublin.

Reports suggested the start of the golf tournament could be clouded by showers, but the worst should be over by the weekend when the sun is due to return.

Hurricane Gordon was speeding Tuesday toward the Azores Islands, the US National Hurricane Center said Tuesday.

Packing maximum sustained winds near 160 kilometers (100 miles) per hour, Gordon, a Category Two hurricane in the five-category Saffir-Simpson scale, was located 1140 kilometers (710 miles) west of the Azores, at 0600 GMT, it said.

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