PAUL AZINGER exhorted the Kentucky galleries to become the 13th man.

He also suggested it was acceptable to cheer when a European player missed a putt. The US Ryder Cup captain was looking to generate heat in the sweltering Kentucky sunshine, seeking an intimidating atmosphere on the opening day of the 37th Ryder Cup.

Azinger's comments were delivered at a Pep rally on Fourth Street in Louisville attended by the entire American team on Thursday night.

After yesterday's morning foursomes he was called to explain those sentiments. "I think I said, 'you can cheer when they miss.' When we go over there they cheer when we miss. It wasn't meant to be malicious.

"It was kind of an education almost, enlightening them to what goes on over there. If we lose a hole or we miss a putt they cheer. I was just making sure that they understood that if we win a hole, they can cheer; even if someone misses a putt for us to win a hole."

Azinger was essentially looking to ensure that the volume control was turned up at every opportunity and the 40,000-strong galleries did not disappoint.

The banter was boisterously good natured and at times almost as keenly contested at the matches themselves.

Although heavily outnumbered on the other side of the ropes, the Europeans certainly provided the colour in attire and in song, some dressed as leprechauns, others as matadors - both groups in full regalia, which was no mean feat in the sunshine. Even a kilt-wearing Colin Montgomerie made it, albeit a lifesize, cardboard version.

Europe's Paul Casey laughed: "I didn't know five leprechauns and a matador could be so loud but it was highly entertaining."

The grandstand was the first duelling station for the galleries as they alternated between chants of "U-S-A" and "Ole, Ole, Ole, Ole" before a section of the European launched into, "Where's your Tiger gone? Where's your Tiger gone?" - taking extreme liberties with the Chirpy, Chirpy, Cheep, Cheep Song by the band Middle of the Road.

The impact of America's 13th man was always going to be dictated by what took place on the fairways and greens, and in the morning's play, the home team, despite a slow start, soon had Valhalla rocking.

The Kentuckian Kenny Perry was the focal point of arguably the largest support base in the foursomes and for much of his match he lived up to cries of "You the man."

Unfortunately for the Franklin resident, a watery grave on his 18th tee shot allowed Lee Westwood and Sergio Garcia to pick his pocket and nick half a point.

The 23-year-old Anthony Kim was offering perhaps the most conspicuous encouragement to the galleries, raising his palms upward to ratchet up the decibels whenever he or his partner Phil Mickelson made birdie.

It was enthusiastically embraced and appreciated by the American players.

Stewart Cink noted: "There was a lot of noise all day, from the first tee on. As the morning wore on there were more USA cheers than there were Europe cheers, which we could sense.

"Just to hear them get excited about the way we were playing in a Ryder Cup was refreshing. I have never been able to experience that myself; they were unbelievable."

The Europeans had no complaints, captain Nick Faldo observing: "The atmosphere out there is great and the crowds are really fair."

Pádraig Harrington relished the occasion: "It was very good (out there), noisy and respectful."

The morning gave way to an afternoon when the cheers were pockmarked by a feral elongation of Boooooo, every time Weekley hit a decent shot. Playing alongside another Kentucky native, JB Holmes, he drew an enthusiastic following who were rewarded on the 12th hole when Weekley holed a pitch shot and promptly fist pumped his way around the green, the din deafening.

Three matches went to the 18th hole in the morning, a wonderful - and deafeningly noisy - amphitheatre. Faldo conceded that he had tried to warn Justin Rose and Ian Poulter about what to expect when their morning foursomes went up the last.

"Unfortunately they (the American fans) were outnumbering us pretty heavily up that 18th. I warned the guys that would be the case," he said.

Whether it impacted on the European pairing is debatable but they lost the hole, the product of sloppy play.

As the Americans mustered a charge again in the fourballs, the mid-afternoon vocal lull gave way to increasing noise. Europe knew that going into the opening day of the 37th Ryder Cup the only way to negate the home support was by virtue of their play.

They couldn't quite accomplish that and so Azinger's wish was granted - in full.