Surprise party ends with sore heads aplenty as Europe’s crazy Ryder Cup performance leaves supporters drinking in the sun and the beers in an ‘I was there’ moment

This is Rome and you would imagine, when some of the first-day spectators wake up on Saturday morning after Europe turned it into a giant party, there may be a few ruins among those who can say, ‘I was there’.

The sun was out and the hosts shone. Peroni beer was on tap. Jon Rahm, and the rhapsody in blue polo shirts, were on top. Those who flocked here drank it in and rubbed it in.

When Rahm sank a 25ft putt to snatch a tie after his and Nicolai Hojgaard’s tight tussle with Scottie Scheffler and Brooks Koepka on the 18th, they roared: ‘Stand up, if you’re 6-1 up!’

At times, the well-backed visitors from the USA brought the noise. But by the end, those in stars and stripes were left looking as dazed and confused as their captain, Zach Johnson.

‘America get battered, everywhere they go,’ a gleeful grandstand added.

Hopeful Team Europe supporters arrived kitted out but wouldn’t have expected to have enjoyed such a brilliant start to the Ryder Cup

Out on course Jon Rahm (left) and Viktor Hovland (right) were two of Europe’s opening day stars

Much of the talk before battle commenced was of behaviour and ‘the line’. It was crossed early when one punter saw fit to bawl, ‘Scottie, you stink’, during the American’s practice swing at the first tee. 

A softly-softly approach was taken, presumably with the idiot made aware he was not in his bedroom typing on a keyboard but was at a real-life sporting event with real-life people and real-life consequences.

That line was approached on a few occasions. The old favourite ‘Get in the water’ came out more as the day wore on. The course may have little shade but plenty was provided by those on the other side of the ropes, who had paid £150 for the privilege.

Most of it, however, was good-natured. ‘Brooks — are you getting paid enough?’ shouted one can-holder, in one of the few LIV references of the day.

Indeed, those sat around the 10th green could have been forgiven for thinking they were at the breakaway tournament as music blared while Europe and America’s finest were lining up putts. This is not a big course and there are areas where the hospitality facilities are a little too close to the action.

European supporters who were soaking in the Peroni and the Italian sun may wake up on Saturday with slightly sore heads

While for Team USA supporters it was a day of amazement as their team crumbled

The Spanish supporters were backing Rahm as they kitted out in traditional matador outfits

‘UP THE TOFFEES’, read a banner hung over the bar’s balustrade, while Luther Vandross’s Never Too Much belted out. You had to wonder about that.

When Justin Thomas was over his ball, one reveller turned the speaker to face the play with the aim of increasing the volume. The American missed.

Europe’s players lapped it up, in particular Viktor Hovland, who urged the stands to raise the noise level almost every time he approached a green.

They answered his call and, when the hangovers clear, their memories of a mesmeric day in Rome will last an eternity.