THE Ryder Cup is unusual in sport in the United States in that it demands its protagonists pit themselves against opponents who hail from foreign shores.
The three most popular pursuits on the other side of the Atlantic - American football, baseball and basketball - are all played by American teams against other American teams.
Sure, their soccer (as they insist on calling it) squad have fared well on the international stage in the last two decades and are now expected to progress beyond the group stage of the World Cup.
Yet the biennial golf match against Europe still remains one of the few occasions in mainstream sport when the United States ventures beyond its own borders to compete at the highest level.
For a country that places such importance on winning and idolises those who do so consistently, the ultra-patriotic nation would be expected to take leave of its comfort zone with a sense of trepidation. But judging by the smattering of spectators who have travelled to Scotland this week to root 'n' holler for Tom Watson's side, it is a concept they have fully embraced.
The Americans are outnumbered by more than 10 to one outside the ropes. Their chants of "USA! USA! USA!" are drowned out by those of "Europe! Europe! Europe!" Their players' birdies have not been greeted so triumphantly as those of their rivals.
However, the travelling contingent in the galleries at the PGA Centenary Course at Gleneagles have added colour and volume to an event that has underlined its status as one of the greatest occasions in sport, never mind golf, in recent days.
Middle-aged men wearing Stars & Stripes kilts would have raised an eyebrow in any other environment, but in Perthshire this week, such questionable apparel has been de rigueur. "We found them on an American website called got-kilt.com," said Bob Kagle from California of his party's natty attire. "I suspect it is a pretty limited market."
He added: "The people of Scotland have been fabulous to us. They have all had smiles on their faces when they have seen us. We have had many friendly chats and a lot of photos taken."
Kagle, a part-owner of NBA team Golden State Warriors, accepted the contention that the main American sports could be insular in their outlook, but he and his buddies were certainly enjoying the change of scene.
"I think it brings the world a little closer together," he said. "I actually find it very refreshing to travel abroad and see America take on other countries in competition. It is hard with such a civilised crowd to not be civilised yourself. The European fans have all applauded the American players for fine shots. I think it sets a good example for sportsmanship."
Jim and Glenda Hill from Vancouver, Washington, who settled for displaying their national flag on their Dr Seuss-style hats, were taken aback by the warmth of the welcome on their first foreign-soil excursion to the Ryder Cup.
"I watched it at Medinah two years ago and saw Ian Poulter's fireworks on the third day," Glenda said. "I thought, 'I have to go to this event the next time'."
Her husband added: "It has exceeded our expectations. It has been very friendly; everyone has been very cordial. There has been lots of good-natured ribbing. It has been a lot of fun."
Football-style chanting has steadily seeped into the Ryder Cup in recent stagings, but there is still an altogether more civilised crowd at the golf. "When the Europe chants get going we try to hit back with USA," said Lee Connelly from Philadelphia. "We definitely feel like we are in a minority here and want to make sure our guys know there is somebody out there supporting them."
US captain Watson was optimistic that adopting the national soccer team's anthem I Believe That We Will Win would inspire his charges here this week. A group of friends from Medina Golf and Country Club in Minneapolis, who have been unmistakable with their garish purple Minnesota Vikings strips and foam horns, were among those to give it a rendition.
They also belted out John Denver's Take Me Home, Country Road - or rather Take Me Home Ryder Cup. But neither appeared to have a positive effect on their guys. By the end of another highly frustrating afternoon the visitors were probably hoping they could be whisked back to their homeland last night. But the US supporters will step on the plane after today's singles with a smile on their faces win, lose or draw.
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