Players awed by 'awesome atmosphere'

STRAFFAN, Ireland, Sep 22 (Reuters) Players from both sides praised the ''awesome atmosphere'' at the opening day of the Ryder Cup today as spectators crowded as much as 20-deep to cheer on their teams.

''The walk onto the first tee is something I will never forget,'' said Colin Montgomerie. ''That is without doubt the noisiest and best reception I've ever had stepping onto the tee for al the years I've been involved in the Ryder Cup''.

''It made the hairs stand up on the back of my neck.'' Local heroes Darren Clarke and Padraig Harrington got the biggest cheers from the crowd at the K Club as Ireland hosted the event for the first time but support was vocal for all the players.

''(The crowd) were awesome. Every hole, every green we went up to they were clapping and cheering on both sides,'' said American J.J.

Henry, playing in his first Ryder Cup.

Occasional Ryder Cups -- notably 1991 and 1999 -- have been marred by bad feeling and less than sympathetic galleries but both sides have gone out of their way this week to stress they want a friendly atmosphere.

''The fans were fantastic,'' said European captain Ian Woosnam.

''They gave us terrific support out there but they were also fair and sporting which is just what we all wanted.'' Sergio Garcia, who partnered fellow Spaniard Jose Maria Olazabal to give Europe their first point of the competition, said the atmosphere was electric.

''Going onto the tee was great but even better was the cheer at the 16th green. I hit the green with a three iron and you should have heard the noise, it made me shiver,'' he said. ''I had gooesbumps down the back of my neck''.

REUTERS DH PM2120