COMING TO AMERICA

Donald targets flying start after team bonding trip

- by NEIL MCLEMAN

LUKE DONALD has urged his Ryder Cup team to channel their “fire” as he announced a two-day reconnaissance mission to Bethpage Black next month.

And 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 booming New York crowd desperate to regain 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 (inset) after making a putt.