WE WILL FIGHT FIRE WITH ICE!

Skipper Donald says his team will keep their cool no matter the provocation of the home crowd

- BY NEIL MCLEMAN X@NeilMcLeman

LUKE DONALD has urged his Ryder Cup team to channel their "fire" in the cauldron of the Ryder Cup as he announced a two-day reconnaissance mission to Bethpage Black next month.

The European captain wants his players to then stay on the other side of the Atlantic to fight off jet-lag and bond before the Long Island showdown.

Eight of the last nine Ryder Cups have been won by the home side, including by Donald's gladiators in Rome two years ago. This time Europe's players will face a battle to quieten a vociferous New York crowd - perhaps also including Donald Trump - desperate to retain the trophy.

Recent PGA Tour events where Americans have competed against Europeans have featured growing chants of, “USA, USA”.

And during the third round of the BMW Championships in Maryland last weekend, Bob MacIntyre responded to a heckler by fist pumping and shushing the crowd after making a putt.