IT WAS a “Grand National start” as the fans flocked for the best spot as the gates opened for the Ryder Cup at dawn – and the scene was even compared to Game of Thrones' Dothraki.
The 44th Ryder Cup gets underway today as Team Europe look to regain the trophy from USA by Sunday.
The Americans beat our boys 19-9 in the last edition back in 2021 in what was the largest margin of victory in modern times.
That was held at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin, USA, but this time Europe are hoping for better luck on home turf this time around.
Macro Simone Golf and Country Club, located just outside of Rome, is the venue for this week’s showdown between golf’s greatest.
And the thousands in attendance raced for a prime location to watch the first tee as the doors swung open in the early hours of this morning.
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Footage showed a reported 4,700 spectators burst over the grass screaming as they sprinted for a seat around the first tee – and they were quickly all gone.
Footage of the crazy scene was shared on social media, with one fan commenting: “A Grand National start to claim the seats around the first tee at the Ryder Cup.
“There are 4,700 of them……all apparently filled within minutes.”
Another commented: “It’s an amazing atmosphere standing at those gates at 4.30am waiting for them to open and charging to your chosen position and hole. It’s electric.”
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While another tweet read: “That one at the front has been training for this moment his whole life.”
A fellow fan shared the hilarious GIF above comparing the scene with Game of Thrones' Dothraki, as a fellow supporter tweeted: “Seen hotels in Spain like that when the pool loungers are ready to go!”
“Is this the Great North run,” asked another while a fellow tweeter wrote: “Sounds like something out of a cowboys and Indian film.”
It will be Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton up against Scottie Scheffler and Sam Burns in the opening foursomes match of the Ryder Cup.
World No.1 Scheffler is hoping to get off Team USA’s attempt to win a Ryder Cup on European soil for the first time in 30 years off to a flier.
However, spectators in attendance will have to keep an eye out for much more than just the golf as we revealed the showpiece could be severely disrupted by SWAMP RATS.
There are a colony of nutria, amphibious rodents, living on the Marco Simone grounds and they have been known to roam the fairways – which could cause mayhew over the upcoming days.
The creatures, which can grow up to 25 inches long, are considered one of the most ecologically harmful invasive species in the world and have aggressive potential.
Nutria, which are also known as the coypu or swamp rat, make their homes close to freshwater and there are plenty of places for them to nest at Marco Simone.
Four holes are lined by water along with several creeks that drain into the pond on the eighth hole.
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The Nutria – which weigh up to 30lb – are known to devour plants and snails with their inch-long teeth eating a quarter of their body weight a day.
They can also have a huge impact on public health and safety. The rodents serve as hosts for several pathogens, including tuberculosis and septicemia, which can infect people, pets, and livestock.
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