Welcome to Bethpage - countdown to the Ryder Cup

The talking was started in the Rome media room by an emboldened Rory McIlroy.

"One of the biggest accomplishments in sport right now is winning an away Ryder Cup. That's what we're going to do at Bethpage," McIlroy opined as his victorious team-mates, many swigging beers, heartily agreed.

Now, 722 days later, we’re getting ready to rumble in New York.

The talking is not quite over - a stacked schedule of media interviews comes before the action starts on Friday. Nevertheless, the time for McIlroy and his team-mates to back up his words is tantalising close.

The two teams - players, captains, support staff - have been here for about a week, sizing up the course in practice rounds and fostering the camaraderie which is so crucial to securing victory.

Fans must wait until tomorrow, however, to get their first glimpse of the 2025 Ryder Cup.

Bethpage Black is one of five courses in a state park on Long Island - the bit of land which juts out of the United States on the east coast next to New York City.

With gnarly rough, physical holes and steep elevations, it is regarded as one of the most gruellingly difficult courses in the US.

For golfers like you and me, there is a knee-knocking sign as you approach the first tee.

"WARNING. The Black Course Is An Extremely Difficult Course Which We Recommend Only For Highly Skilled Golfers."

The 24 men lining up from Friday are certainly that. However, the sign has been removed because of fears that overeager memorabilia hunters might try to pilfer it.

Described as a 'Mecca' of municipal golf, Bethpage has been transformed into a track fit for the world's elite.

It is not the daunting course which gobbled up the pros at the 2002 and 2009 US Opens, though.

The rough has been cut down as the Americans have set up a course which Europe skipper Luke Donald thinks is designed to attract birdies.

We’re all going to find out if that’s the case in just four more days…