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CHASKA, Minn. -- Two consecutive events played out at the end of Thursday's opening ceremonies, and all of a sudden the 41st Ryder Cup started with a bang. One of these events we have known about for 23 months. The other was a bit of a surprise.

United States captain Davis Love III and European captain Darren Clarke droned on about sportsmanship and history, all while a week that has barely even started was starting to feel like it would go on forever. Nearly 20,000 spectators, well oiled with local IPAs and completely drained from a merchandise tent that could double as a practice facility for the Minnesota Vikings, chomped at the bit awaiting the player introductions.

They came, finally. The European team stood and waved with a cool, calm confidence -- like a team that has won three straight Ryder Cups and eight of the last 10 should stand and wave. The United States team looked disheveled and nervous despite being a heavy favorite. It was quite the contrast. The bad-ass Europeans looked as if they were dressed by someone who definitely watched "Reservoir Dogs" in the last two weeks. The shaky Americans looked as if their varied collection of sunglasses had been picked up at three different gas stations on the way to the course.

The teams sweated, Tiger Woods soaked through his dress shirt, and the crowds waited. The European anthem was played. Love cracked some jokes about his dudes. And to call them "jokes" is to do a disservice to the comedy industry as a whole. Woods was introduced. Then came the American anthem. It was long. It was loud. It was parroted back at the makeshift stage on the south end of the driving range by those in attendance.

Then the entire thing was drowned by a stunning flyover that felt like it was lifted straight out of an Auburn-Ole Miss game. Chants of "U-S-A! U-S-A!" followed in its wake, and if that didn't give you chills, then why even follow sports.

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Fighter jets fly over Hazeltine. USATSI

Love knew an encore would have to be special, and he knew what was written on his index card would be just that. Because a plan that had certainly been hatched a little less than 24 months ago came to fruition as the captains announced their Friday morning pairings to a national television audience.

"First team out in the morning representing Europe is Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson," said Clarke, the European captain.

Everyone knew what was coming next. We knew because, when you're the favorite, you ride like the favorite. You pair your heart with your soul, and you say, you might take another win back across the pond, but you're going to have to permeate the thickest part of our fortress to do it.

Spieth and Reed. Reed and Spieth. Come get some.

Bruce Springsteen doesn't open with "Tunnel of Love." Nick Saban doesn't call a play-action fly route in his first play from scrimmage against Auburn. Harry Houdini doesn't start with a card trick. And in the same way, Love should never have even thought about putting another duo in that leadoff spot.

"Every time I looked at this lineup, I just got more and more excited about all four matches," said Love. "Obviously not knowing who they were going to put out, but guessing a little bit. Again, that first match is going to be exciting. It just happened that Patrick Reed's name is at the top of the list, but our most fired up guy is going to be in front of the most fired up crowd maybe in the history of golf. So that's a good start.

"And then you have a guy that can handle that crowd and handle the pressure playing with him; two of their best players obviously. So I think I might watch that match right off the bat. Patrick Reed for the last six months, I mean, he's just been talking so excited. He's ready to go and fired up. We just felt like that first tee atmosphere just fit him and Jordan to get it kicked off."

Two of my keys to a U.S. win this week were "feed Reed" and "don't get buried early." It appears that Love is intent on both fronts. The challenge is a formidable one, too.

So with that, the most-anticipated team event in this sport in this country in four years begins. An electric flyover followed by a salute and a finger to the lips of Reed, who reminded us all who was the real star of 2014. It was as if he was saying, save it for tomorrow, because we're coming for the trophy.

Patrons poured out of Hazeltine as the sun faded on a perfect day for the perfect event. After 24 long months, the U.S. has a chance to exact revenge for the last six years of heartbreak.

This is how you open. This is how America should open, anyway. They emoted everything this country and these players are about on Thursday afternoon. Brash and hearty. Bravado and Rough. Miserable yet eager.

Friday, they'll open with their heart, with their soul -- for the Ryder Cup.

Game on.