Players all want to hit the toughest shot in golf

It is the most nerve-jangling, intimidating tee box in golf, the opening hole at a Ryder Cup. So why in the world was every golfer in this 39th Ryder Cup desperate to hit the first shot today?

Most Sunday-morning hackers quake at the very notion of even a man and his dog watching them begin a round but with thousands of spectators shouting, singing and roaring all around you from packed grandstands that seem to tower above the tee as you wait for the starter to call you to order, there were 24 players representing Europe and the USA who would happily fulfil the duties.

At Celtic Manor two years ago, European captain Colin Montgomerie placed the honour in the experienced hands of Lee Westwood and the Scot who led his side to reclaim the Ryder Trophy from the Americans explained what goes through a player’s mind when given the job of getting a team up and running on a Friday morning.