If you thought fans at previous Ryder Cups were loud, then you might have to change your mind after this year's event, according to Luke Donald.
Luke Donald: Ready for loud fans
Ryder Cup fans are known to get very boisterous during the tournament, but Donald feels they are likely to go up a few notches this year due to its location in Chicago.
"It'll be extremely raucous. I've played in three Ryder Cups and I think this is the biggest city in terms of the location and that'll make it a little bit more fun," he told Sky Sports in an interview.
"I think the fans will get behind this Ryder Cup and it'll make it tough for the Euros. They're going to be on the Americans' side, they'll be cheering hard but they're a fair crowd and hopefully they'll respect both teams.
"The home team's biggest advantage is the crowd support and if we can take that away a little bit, not just through my relationship with Chicago, but also playing well then that will be a slight benefactor for us."
The 2012 tournament will be held from September 28-30 at Medinah Country Club and Donald will head there with fond memories of the city as he spent several years there.
"I have a lot of history here," he said.
"I've spent 15 years here, I met my wife here. I had four good years at college here which really set me up well for being a professional.
"I've travelled around so many different cities in the US playing golf but I've always come back to this place as my favourite city. Great food, great people, a lot to do.
"It's a little bit like New York but a little bit more manageable, a lot cleaner and, I think, friendlier people. I enjoy Chicago a lot. It has a lot to offer. Great sports city, restaurants, fine dining, a lot of culture, great art museums.
It has everything.
"Other than the cold winters, it's a pretty good place."
Europe will be captained by Spaniard Jose Maria Olazabal at Medinah and Donald is confident the two-time major winner will bring plenty of "passion" to the Ryder Cup.
"He (Olazabal) always comes to mind when you think of a Ryder Cup from a European standpoint. So much passion, so much flair," he said.
"Obviously his pairing with Seve [Ballesteros] was probably one of the greatest pairings in Ryder Cup history. Just an amazing flair for getting it done. Short game wizards those two were.
"Ollie will bring a lot of passion to the Ryder Cup. Just seeing him a couple of years ago at Celtic Manor, he came in late as an assistant captain and really brought a lot to it. He said some really good things in the team
room. He knows what it's all about. He'll be very prepared."
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