The United States and Europe will renew hostilities when the 45th edition of the Ryder Cup tees off on Friday with President Donald Trump in attendance for the opening matches of the biennial golf showdown.
One of the most ferocious rivalries in sport gets under way with US duo Bryson DeChambeau and Justin Thomas facing Europe's Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton in a feisty morning foursomes opener at Bethpage Black.
"They are going to be having the crowd excited," US captain Keegan Bradley predicted of DeChambeau and Thomas. "They bring a spark to our team."
The clash will spice what's expected to be an intense atmosphere with Trump among more than 50 000 spectators expected for the opening day's play.
"I hope he will inspire us to victory," DeChambeau said of Trump. "I think he'll be a great force for us to get a lot of people on our side. I think it will be interesting and exciting to see how the crowd and everybody reacts. It's going to be an electric environment."
Friday's first foursomes (alternate shot) match tees off at 7:10 am (1110 GMT) with two-time major winners Thomas and DeChambeau against two-time major winner Rahm of Spain and England's Hatton, who were both unbeaten in Europe's 2023 win at Rome.
"They are both players that like to get the crowd going," Rahm said. "It will be a very energetic match, but I wouldn't say Tyrrell and I are short of energy ourselves."
Europe captain Luke Donald also expects a spirited start.
"They are all going to be pretty feisty," Donald said of the matches. "The buildup of any Ryder Cup is pretty intense. You feel every day getting a little bit spicier.
"First tee, it's pure energy. It's pure passion, but I think my guys are ready for it."
The second foursomes duel will be Americans Scottie Scheffler and Russell Henley, the world No 1 and world No 3 respectively, against Sweden's Ludvig Aberg and England's Matt Fitzpatrick.
"I'm sure it's going to be loud," Fitzpatrick said.
World No 2 Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland and England's Tommy Fleetwood, 2-0 together in foursomes at Rome, face Americans Harris English and Collin Morikawa in match three.
The last morning foursomes matchup sends Scotland's Robert MacIntyre and Norway's Viktor Hovland against Americans Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele.
CHEERS AMID CHAOS
The New York crowd is expected to be among the toughest Europe has faced on US soil, but Donald hopes for some support.
"New York is a melting pot," he said. "We understand the vast majority of the support will be for the US but I think we can find some European cheers in and among that chaos as well."
Fans have already been warned about tighter security measures and several restrictions on items because Trump will be at the course, which was soaked by rain on Thursday.
The format includes four morning foursomes matches and four afternoon four-ball matches on Friday and Saturday with 12 concluding Sunday singles matches.
The Americans will need 14.5 points to win the Cup. Europe, winners in 10 of the past 14 meetings, need only 14 of 28 points to retain the trophy.
The US team leads the all-time rivalry 27-15 with two drawn, but Europe lead 12-9 with one drawn since their team was expanded beyond Britain and Ireland in 1979.