Team Europe doubles Team USA's Ryder Cup Twitter support with 3.5m fans
The Ryder Cup has returned for its 40th anniversary to the PGA Centenary Course in Perthshire, Scotland, with this year promising to be the most social-media-engaged event in its history - as over 75 per cent of competing golfers are on Twitter.
Team Europe's pre-tournament selfie
Fans will be encouraged to support their continent with the hashtags #USA and #Europe. Furthermore the competitors have been engaging with fans online to drum up excitement for the event.
Just landed in Scotland for the @RyderCup! Help us cheer for team USA. I believe that we can win!
— Tom Watson (@TomWatsonPGA) September 22, 2014
Team Europe even went as far as taking a pre-competition selfie.
Pre opening ceremony selfie!! #EUROPE pic.twitter.com/RsaW1iETOi
— Rory Mcilroy (@McIlroyRory) September 25, 2014
After adding the unique followers of the golfers from each side, Team Europe came out on top totalling 3.5 million followers, just over double Team USA's 1.7 million fans.
Tiger Woods remains the most followed golfer on Twitter - although he remains absent from USA's line up. Of those competing, Bubba Watson ranks as the US’ most popular golfer on Twitter with 1.26 million fans whereas Irish Rory Mcilroy has 2.14 million.
Despite the growth of golf on social media, football remains the most followed sport on the site with Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo celebrating his 30 millionth follower on Thursday, making his the 13th most popular account on the site.
On the digital front, the best tweets regarding the biennial tournament will be broadcast around the course on digital screens and through a dedicated Ryder Cup app for spectators.
This comes after UKIP leader Nigel Farage starred in a Paddy Power Ryder Cup ad where he ironically declared his love for Europe in its struggle against the Americans.