As the players are introduced, Jon Rahm is clutching his trusty driver. He looks focused.

But he's not getting us going - it's the world number one Scottie Scheffler who will start the Ryder Cup.

The crowd falls quiet and thwack. He's leaked left but the competition is under way.

Rahm follows him and he's plumb on target, safely down the right side of the fairway.

A grin with Tyrrell Hatton and off they trundle.

Matt Wallace
Four-time European Tour winner on BBC Radio 5 Live

This isn’t what we're used to.

It’s sensational.

How exciting is this?

Luuuuuuuuuuuuke - that can only mean one thing. Europe’s captain has entered the first tee arena.

And then it’s Icelandic thunderclap time followed by the ‘Ole’ song. . I’m not sure this crown could be whipped up into any more of a frenzy.

Lift off at the first tee as Tyrrell Hatton and Jon Rahm enter the arena.

We're almost good to go.

Image source, Getty Images

The players are on their way for match one and it's world number three Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton who will kick off Europe's quest to regain the Ryder Cup.

Rahm was immense at Whistling Straits two years ago, winning three-and-a-half of Europe's nine points.

There, he played with Hatton in the Friday fourball, tying with Scottie Scheffler and Bryson DeChambeau.

The fiery duo are back in tandem again and, if nothing else, they will get the crowd going in this first match-up.

Rahm's passion and Hatton's intensity against the ice-cold composure of Scheffler and Sam Burns. Tasty.

Image source, Getty Images

How would you fancy hitting your tee shot at Marco Simone in front of this huge stand full of spectators?

No? Me neither. Not sure I'd even get my golf ball onto the tee.

Peter Scrivener
BBC Sport at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club, Rome

Image source, Ryder Cup

How do you like to view the pin positions? A couple of options here. The captains already had the information yesterday because I was watching the Americans pacing out various spots on greens and throwing down hole markers for the players to putt to.

Not sure how I feel about that, always sort of think they should be just like you and me and seeing a pin position for the first time at a new course.

Image source, Ryder Cup

Image source, Google

Thirteen miles to the north east of central Rome lies the beautiful Marco Simone Golf & Country Club - our home for the next three days of gripping golf.

The estate, which is steeped in history, comes with a grove of olive trees and was also once the home of astronomer Galileo.

It has panoramic views of central Rome and St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City from five holes around the course, including the 597-yard 18th, which is the longest closing par five in Ryder Cup history.

The 7,181-yard course contains around 170 feet of elevation change and penal knee-deep rough, which will cause anyone veering off the pristine fairways significant problems.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Team Europe are kicking off this Ryder Cup with a new strategy designed to ensure a "fast start", says captain Luke Donald.

The home side gets to choose whether to start Friday's first session with four foursomes or four fourball matches. Europe have not won the first session at the Ryder Cup since 2006, so Donald has opted to go with foursomes this morning.

"It was decided this was the best way to go," said Donald.

"It's really just a deep dive into statistics of the team. We feel like we have some strong foursomes pairings. We feel like we are just slightly stronger statistically in foursomes to fourballs."

The world's best players truly turn out for the Ryder Cup.

The Americans have the edge, six of the current top 10 and cumulatively a rankings score of 155 (average 12.9).

Europe incidentally is up at 351 (average 29.1) with rookies Ludwig Aberg and Nicolai Hojgaard ranked at 80 and 82 respectively.

But, they do have the big three.

How much will they rely on Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm and Viktor Hovland?

BBC Radio 5 Live

Image source, BBC Sport

The BBC Radio 5 Live teams are all ready to go.

Katherine Downes, John Murray and Graeme Storm are making light of the slightly chilly Rome morning air as they get set to head off to their positions around the course.

Peter Scrivener
BBC Sport at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club, Rome

The smattering of US fans on the first tee are trying to make themselves heard but for every U. S. A. there is an increasingly loud Europe response.

And a terrific reception for the Molinaris as they stepped onto the tee.

This is the first tee around 50 minutes before the first shot. And then 10 minutes later.

Filling up nicely. You've got BBC Radio 5 Live's Alistair Bruce-Ball and Iain Carter to thank for the photographs.

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, BBC Sport

Up for some nostalgia?

It is 30 years since the United States last won a Ryder Cup contest this side of the Atlantic.

So let's look back at Europe's dominance over their past six home meetings.

Image source, Getty Images

Two years ago, the US toasted a record 19-9 victory over a bedraggled European side at Whistling Straits. It appeared the American behemoth had seized an iron grip on the Ryder Cup.

But this is very much a new competition, especially given only seven players on each team in Rome played in 2021.

You could argue that in Hovland, Jon Rahm and Rory McIlroy, Europe have got the tournament’s three strongest players, although Scottie Scheffler may have something to say about that.

The Americans are no longer the heavy favourites they once were.

Europe expects.

Win this Ryder Cup and the US will double the number acquired by Europe (Great Britain and Ireland up to 1977).

That dominance however does not reflect the past 10 competitions and indeed, Europe have won the past six tournaments on this side of the Atlantic.

They also have the more experienced Ryder Cup team when it comes to matches – even if stalwarts Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose account for 59% of those.

Steve Sutcliffe
BBC Sport at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club, Rome

Fans were charging past the media tent in the pitch black to get in the queue for the grandstand at the first tee at around 05:45 BST this morning.

There were also droves of fans hanging around by the driving range and after a few days of relative tranquillity on the practice rounds, first few good-natured boos between sets of fans as "USA, USA, USA" rang out and was swiftly drowned out by chants of "Europe".

Amid the background noise both Sam Burns and Jon Rahm have been readying themselves for action.

It may be early starts for all concerned but who cares. This is the Ryder Cup!

Wouldn't mind some lights for the lawnmower, mind.

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, BBC Sport

The players arrived in the dark this morning - and so did the fans, with the gates opening at 05:45 BST.

There is nothing quite like the atmosphere at the Ryder Cup.

Image source, Reuters

Image source, Reuters

Image source, Reuters

Image source, Reuters

At last.

The talking is over.

It’s time to write a new history.

Buongiorno from Rome.

The Ryder Cup is back.