Europe captain José María Olazábal has jetted off to Chicago with some of his colleagues as Europe prepare to defend their Ryder Cup crown.
Olazábal was flanked by vice captain Miguel Ángel Jíminez and Northern Irishman Darren Clarke as the first team members bound for the east cost of the United States.
Nicolas Colsaerts, who will become the first Belgian to play in the 85-year history of the Ryder Cup, was also amongst the first party at Heathrow airport.
Europe narrowly regained the cup in 2010 when the matchplay tournament was finished on the Monday due to severe rainfall at Celtic Manor in Wales.
Graeme McDowell sunk the winning putt when he defeated Hunter Mahan in the singles to seal a 14½-13½ win for the Europeans.
The 39th Ryder Cup will be held at Medinah Country Club in Illinois over the forthcoming weekend.