Image source, Reuters

All matches are played under the matchplay format. It means each hole is decided in isolation, rather than strokeplay, which is the cumulative scoring method used in most tournaments, including all four majors.

The winner of each match scores a point for his team, with half a point each for any match that is tied after the 18 holes.

As holders Europe need 14 out of a maximum of 28 points to retain the Ryder Cup, while the United States need 14.5 points to win the trophy back.

Henrik Stenson and Justin Rose stride onto the tee. A kiss or two for some loved ones on the way. They walk with the confidence of a banker on bonus day. It looks like Justin Rose will hit the Europe tee shot. He loosens up. I've not seen Jordan Spieth yet. Silent assassin that kid. 

Tom Fordyce
Chief sports writer at Hazeltine

Tiger Woods to the tee for the discombobulating experience of cheering for another golfer.

Here as one of Davis Love's five vice-captains, Woods gets the sort of reception he might have expected coming down the 18th at Augusta in April 1997.

Not sure about you, but I'll miss seeing Ian Poulter's face go red and his constant screams this week. I really hope he turns the vice captain's job into a shower of fist pumps and rage.

Image source, AP

Ian Poulter, one of Europe's four vice captains, has been talking to BBC Radio 5 live: "There is nothing I would love more than being able to help with my golf club, but I can't and the next best thing is being here with the guys for support and for all of the captains who have helped out.

"It is impressive to see how hard people have worked from this side of the fence. I love it as much as obviously playing - anything to help this great team. They are fired up, they are ready for it and let’s have some fun."

Tom Fordyce
Chief sports writer at Hazeltine

Misty old start in Minnesota - can only just make out the stands around the first green from the early morn nightclub that is the first tee. Predictable chants of, "USA! USA!" mixed in with more poignant, "AR-NOLD, PA-LMER..."

Hats off to you Arnie. Here's hoping we get a classic for you.

Just eight minutes until the first tee shot is fired, the ball soaked in energy, nerves, hope and probably fear.

Image source, Getty Images

Arnold Palmer has an airport named after him, a beverage (Iced tea and lemonade) sports his name, external, he won an incredible seven majors, he helped golf become the commercial juggernaut it is now, he even co-founded the Golf Channel., external

Somewhere in his incredible life he fitted in six Ryder Cups, winning all six.

The man known as 'The King' once said: “I loved the Ryder Cup, because it simply wasn’t about playing for money. It was about playing for something far grander and more personal."  

Fans have paid tribute to Palmer all week, signing a wall in memory of the American hero, who passed away aged 87 last week. Will his passing inspire the United States team? The spirit of Arnie could have sway at Hazeltine.

Image source, .

If you can't listen to 5 live in the office - remember you just have to click 'live coverage' at the top of this page - then stay with us for every moment of action.

We have hole graphics ready to go, we have iconic Ryder Cup moments, player profiles, you'll have plenty to dig into. Anything you want to know, just tweet #bbcrydercup and we will do our best to find out for you.

First though, someone deserves a special mention...

Just warning you, 15 minutes to go. Not that we can't wait or anything...

Cracking that, Joel. Not shaving until Europe lose, hey?

Rory McIlroy, partnered with Andy Sullivan, speaks to Sky Sports: "I've been a big fan of Andy's game ever since we played together in Dubai at the start of the 2015 season. I feel like he's always risen to the occasion and somehow I've always brought the best out of him. Every time he's played with me he's played great, we get on, it feels like a very natural partnership.

"I just say to him 'try your best, I'm always here for you'. Hopefully he can have total faith and trust in me as I have in him. I am so excited for this match."

Tom Fordyce
Chief sports writer at Hazeltine

If there's a noisier patch of turf in Minnesota as the sun comes up then my name is Samuel Ryder. Pounding dance music, endless whoops, free flags in the hands of every spectator, an atmosphere somewhere between Christmas Eve, the start of the New Year sales and a smashed-up stag-do.

Image source, Reuters

The sun is coming up at Hazeltine National. Europe's Andy Sullivan is working on his putting, the crowd are already lapping this up. A DJ - not Dustin Johnson but an actual DJ - is dropping a few tunes. My guess is a few have had a beer or two and it's 07:12am in Minneapolis.

Image source, Getty Images

Danny Willett has not had a great start to the week. If he's not fending questions on his brother's controversial article (see 13:00 BST) he's hitting drives onto the head of innocent fans.

Still, this bloke was still smiling.

It's interesting that Willett is left out of the foursomes. I guess that is to take the sting out of the reception he may get from fans but Darren Clarke has said he was never going to pick the Masters champion for the foursomes.

Now we know it's the Ryder Cup but even still, can this type of get up be forgiven?

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Radio 5 live

You can now listen live to all the goings on from Hazeltine on BBC Radio 5 live. Listen closely and you can hear the nerves rumbling in the belly of each player.

You can listen in your car, on the radio, or just click 'live coverage' at the top of this page and hit play. Read while you listen.

Adrian B: Quietly following the text updates from a campsite in Queensland Australia - Don't tell the wife.

That's the way Adrian. I was once in the cinema and saw a guy on our live text while watching the film. He was out with his partner and following the snooker live. My respect levels for him soared.

It has probably not escaped your attention that Peter Willett - brother of Team Europe star Danny - wrote a slightly provocative article this week.

In it, the school teacher - in what many observers have called a "tongue-in-cheek piece" - called Americans a "baying mob of imbeciles," among other things.

The question now is whether Danny - crowned masters champion in April - becomes public enemy number one for the galleries this week.

Image source, Getty Images

Europe captain Darren Clarke said: "I showed it to Danny and he's bitterly disappointed in his brother's article.

"It is not what Danny thinks. It is not what I think. It is not what Team Europe stands for."

Image source, .