Image source, PA

There may not be a patch of land on earth where there will be more nervous energy today. That first tee shot, so critical. A day of success or strife can be launched from that first blow of the ball.

Europe Ryder Cup captain Darren Clarke talking to Sky Sports: "Just believe. The guys they have got their numbers on their shirts today and they are out there trying to win whatever order they are in.

"They don't want to be three points behind, they want to be ahead. We need some blue numbers up there and if we can do that everything can change.

"I discussed (the order) with the guys, but it was more down to my choice with the vice captains - that singles order is determined by match position. We needed to try and get something early on. 

"That said, I have every bit as much confidence in the bottom half of the draw as the top half of the draw. We are in for an exciting day."

Advantage Europe as Patrick Reed cannot get to the green from out wide. A tree means he has to just bunt a ball forward and it's 50 yards short.

Rory McIlroy is in the first cut, can he make this count to get off to a cracker of a start? His iron is in the air, whack, crisp strike, too crisp. He's over cooked it and the bunker at the back of the green snaffles the ball up.

Des Smyth
Former Ryder Cup vice captain on BBC Radio 5 live

I do fancy Rory, but he is up against a real tough player. This is really the match of the titans this morning as it is two in-form players.

You can listen now, just click 'live coverage' at the top of this page.

Image source, Getty Images

The names of each player are read aloud, Patrick Reed's is read last and his arm is raised to widespread roars.  Will his arm be aloft in a few hours or will the Rory fist pump win the day?

Classy from McIlroy, as the noise dies down he says "have a good game Patrick," before teeing it up and ripping a drive.

The Fed Ex Cup winner is the better of the two in terms of position. He's just in the first cut, Reed goes further left and he may well have his path to the green blocked by trees.

Image source, .

Sam Torrance, one of Europe's vice captains, speaking to BBC Radio 5 live: "That first match is of huge importance and we put our best man in the spot." 

On the crowd: "We knew how noisy it was going to be, you just let it pump you up. Use that to inspire you and try as hard as you can to do your job. You have to focus on your job."

Rory McIlroy is on time, no need for the rush he faced to get to Medinah in 2012. The Northern Irishman is on the tee hugging Sam Torrance. He gets a pat on the back from captain Darren Clarke. Patrick Reed is warming up, loosening his arms off. He's surrounded by the noise of "USA, USA, USA."  The crowd wave mini flags and if ever European players needed a reminder of just what they are facing, they will each get it on tee number one.

Image source, EPA

US captain Davis Love says Jordan Spieth has had some treatment: "Rumors. Everybody is excited and wants to talk about something, Jordan is fine. We have a big training staff and they assured me when I heard the rumor that he is fine and ready to go.

Has he has treatment? "We have treatment every night. Jordan is good at that. He knows his routine.

"We have had a great plan for the first two days and we have a great plan today."

Image source, Getty Images

Rory McIlroy says the 2012 Miracle in Medinah is at the forefront of European minds. Speaking to the Golf Channel, the Northern Irishman said: "We don't have all the players that were in Medinah but we have a lot of people that were involved, including the captain and vice-captains. 

"We know what we are capable of and I think more importantly Davis Love (who was also US captain in 2012) knows what we are capable of. Four years ago they had a bigger lead. That is in our minds and hopefully it's in their minds as well."

If a Ryder Cup winner is nervous, then goodness knows how you guys are all feeling...

BBC Radio 5 live

"Europe's on fire, Davis Love is terrified,

"Europe's on fire, Davis Love is terrified,

"Europe's on fire, Davis Love is terrified,

"na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na na."

That's what is being sung beautifully on BBC Radio 5 live right now. The fans who follow Europe are in fine voice. Sergio Garcia has been to chat to them today and the Spaniard basically asked them to give it everything today because it will be needed.

A short while before the competition gets feisty, there is time for niceties. 

Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy, very much the two poster boys of golf on either side of the Atlantic, are sharing a few words.

A rumor did the rounds this morning that Spieth had a hand injury. He's hitting drives now and if he's injured then my word I'd hate to see what he could do when fit.

Image source, Getty Images

Iain Carter
BBC Radio 5 Correspondent

It is an inevitable by product if you have 55,000 people you are going to be selling beers, stoking it up - the music on the first tee. 

You are expecting it, you are ready for it. There have been a couple of nasty moments, Rory McIlroy endured them, but overall it is the most sensational sporting cauldron.

If you don't have that you don't have the spectacle. The line exists if they start to interfere with play, putting players off their shots.

You can listen to BBC Radio 5 live's coverage by clicking the link at the top of this page.

Jason Sobel of ESPN perhaps caught the preparations for the after party this morning?

Tom Fordyce
Chief sports writer in Minnesota

Image source, Getty Images

Another ripper of an autumnal morning in Chasa, Minnesota - all clear blue skies, golden leaves and grass so lush and green it seems hyper-real. After the Miracle of Medinah four years ago, is there hope in Hazeltine going into these singles for Europe? It will take something extraordinary, and it will take Rory McIlroy - talismanic thus far - to take down the equally inspired Patrick Reed in the opening match for belief to flow down these pristine fairways.

Last night you guys were epic, tweeting us from places like Phuket, New York, Colombia, Nairobi, Moscow and even Worksop as you digested the drama. It seems the bloke below wasn't missing it either.

We are here to chat to you all day again today, just find us on #bbcrydercup.

BBC Radio 5 live

So are you all set? 

Here's hoping you have your ball cleaner, visor, pitch-mark repairer, tee, obligatory sandwiches and liquid refreshment at the ready. If Europe win we are in for a remarkable night, even if they don't it will be compelling.

You can listen to it all across BBC Radio 5 live now. Just click 'live coverage' at the top of the page.