LOUISVILLE, US - US RYDER Cup skipper Paul Azinger is planning a fiery start to Friday's opening foursomes against Europe by possibly pairing home state duo Kenny Perry and JB Holmes in the lead-off tie.

Azinger is keenly aware of the need for his side to hit the ground running, something US teams have failed to do on the last three occasions the cup has been contested.

At the K Club outside Dublin two years ago, Oakland Hills in Michigan in 2004 and at The Belfry near Birmingham in 2002 Tiger Woods led the way playing with respectively Jim Furyk, Phil Mickelson and Azinger himself and on each occasion the Americans trailed after the first session never again to regain the lead.

Hence the idea to send out Kentucky local boys Perry and Holmes as the team spearhead.

'I've thought about what am I going to do with those two guys; should I put them together, should I keep them apart,' Azinger said.

'You know, I'd like to put them off first match out to be honest with you and get this crowd rocking.'

Azinger had his team pumping up the enthusiasm already on Tuesday as the players put in their first practice sessions watched by big galleries at the Valhalla Golf Club.

The Americans handed out thousands of lapel pins with the American flag on it and the Ryder Cup.

'I want to treat them like they're going to be our 13th man,' he said.

'We're tossing these to the crowd, and they're loving that. They're screaming for more pins. I don't think we have enough.'

Azinger also revealed that he intended to continue the charm offensive with a pep rally in downtown Louisville on Thursday at which players would blow tee-shirts out of guns to the crowd.

He insisted though that he did not want to see any repeat of the infamous incidents that marred the 1999 edition in Brookline, Massachusetts when European players and particularly Colin Montgomerie were heckled and insulted.

Other motivational methods employed by the attack-minded Azinger include exposing his players to inspirational figures like boxing legend Muhammad Ali, who hails from Louisville, famed gridiron football coach Lou Holtz and possibly even President George W. Bush.

In other insights into how he will approach the clash, Azinger said that he intended to give all 12 of his players a taste of the action on the opening day.

'I believe collectively everybody is playing well,' he said.

'Looking at how I want to make my pairings in the morning and in the afternoon, my great burden is who do I want to leave out'.

'My goal is to play all 12 guys the first day'.

'I believe we have a bunch of grinders who understand and want to prepare and are embracing this whole thing. This is a big stage.' -- AFP