CHASKA, Minnesota, Sept 30 (Reuters) - Thunderous roars cut through the chilly morning mist at a packed Hazeltine National layout and a touching talisman at the first tee seemed to inspire the U.S. Ryder Cup team to a brilliant start on Friday.
Tens of thousands of fans were in place by the 7:30 a.m. start to the 41st Ryder Cup to cheer an American side intent on beating Europe, winners of three in a row in the biennial match play event and eight of the last 10 competitions.
Outrageous outfits worn by blue and gold clad European supporters and the home crowd's sea of red, white and blue in hats, scarves, pants, jackets, fright wigs, cowboy gear and Uncle Sam regalia filled the grandstands and lined the fairways in numbers that would approach 50,000.