Ryder Cup - opening ceremony as it happened

John McEnerney: I’m like a kid on Xmas Eve knowing that tomorrow is going to be spectacular. My thoughts like many other are of the King of European golf Seve who lets be honest made this competition what it is today! The greatest Ryder Cupper of them all. Guide us home Seve!

So what do you make of those four fourball match-ups?

Patrick Reed and Tiger Woods taking on Open champion Francesco Molinari and Ryder Cup rookie Tommy Fleetwood looks intriguing.

Spieth & Thomas v Casey & Hatton has a reddish tinge to my eye.

Patrick Reed and Tiger Woods play Francesco Molinari and Tommy Fleetwood

Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas v Paul Casey and Tyrrell Hatton

Dustin Johnson and Rickie Fowler take on Rory McIlroy and Torbjorn Olesen

Time for the pairings for fourball pairings...

First up Brooks Koepka and Tony Finau against Justin Rose and Jon Rahm

You thought you were getting away without brushing off that schooldays French.

You were wrong.

A local politician stands up delivers a long plug for the region in the native tongue.

"You are at home in the heart of Europe, It is with great emotion that I see the nations of Europe in defence of the flag," she says, I think.

She then flips to English to deliver her final words.

Perhaps we are fortunate that she doesn't take the Sebastian Chabal stance on France-based sporting events.

Now, for something a little different.

A performance from Jain who, a popular online encyclopedia tells me is a French singer songwriter who has scored top-10 hits in France, Belgium and Spain.

She tip-toes around the stage, decked out in a blue and red boilersuit get-up, whispering seductively to a keyboard demo.

Phil Mickelson does a dad-jig in his chair.

Ian Poulter gets the biggest round of applause of Europe's team.

He gives a polite nod of the head in response and a quick fist bump to the heart.

Still some gears to move through for Hertfordshire's fine.

Hang on, this has taken a turn for the political.

"This continent can be a fragmented place," says Thomas Bjorn.

"When it comes to the Ryder Cup it is different. We stand as one. Together we have achieved many great things. More than anything we will play for that flag."

Put you down as a maybe Thomas?

Platitudes and namechecks, standard fare so far from the Great Dane.

And then Bjorn drops a whole sentence in French to trump Jim Furyk's piddly efforts.

The crowd enjoyed that, responding with a chorus of oles.

Now for Europe's kingpin Thomas Bjorn.

Patrick Reed cocks an ear playfully to the equally jokey jeers from the Europe fans.

That might be replayed with a bit more malice later this week.

The biggest ovation, by far, though is for Tiger Woods with the cheering rumbling on and on.

Will it be golf's top predator reborn or the neutered pussycat of more recent years on show?

Next up, the introductions.

Jim Furyk runs through his men, starting with Bryson DeChambeau.

DeChambeau sits down after his introduction is done, but realises, as Tony Finau next too him stays standing, that he has made an error.

He sneakily gets back on his feet.

Jordan Spieth also messes up, forgetting to button up his jacket.

Twice Jim Furyk breaks out a bit of the local lingo.

"Mare-see Bou-coop" and a passable "magnifique".

That's enough.

Jim Furyk is first up and is extending the hand of friendship.

Apparently the United States will play with the Statue of Liberty emblazoned on their bags this week as a sign of the links between America and France.

"Inside the ropes we may compete against each other, outside them we stand together," he says.

He pays tribute the partners of the American team for their support.

"Thank you for putting up with us," he says.

Which is more of a job with some of the United States team than others.

Right, anthems time.

Guests first. And Bubba Watson is one of those blasting out about the dawn's early light.

The Europeans are a bit quieter, but you try singing along to Anthem for Europe, based on Ode to Joy. Definitely more of a hummer.

It’s a competition for best dressed between captains Thomas Bjorn and Jim Furyk, both looking very smart but have to say “cuddly Thomas”, as Paul Casey labelled him earlier, just edges it for me. The Ryder Cup is looking resplendent in the French evening sun up on stage, sparkling brighter than David Ginola’s silver locks. But who’ll be getting their hands on it come Sunday afternoon?

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