Pop star and golf enthusiast Justin Timberlake played host at the Opening Ceremony of the 2012 Ryder Cup in Illinois on Thursday (27Sep12), reciting poetry as part of the event.

The Cry Me A River hitmaker read Randy Sabados' poem Golf accompanied by the Chicago Youth Symphony orchestra playing British patriotic classic I Vow To Thee My Country in a nod to the competition's English roots.

The singer/actor also made a speech at the Medinah Country Club venue, joking he had thought about remixing and beat boxing the poem but has too much respect for event.

He told the audience, "I appreciate this poem because it is a player's love letter to this sport that we all love so much."