Ryder Cup winners left egos at door: McDowell

Fan blinded by tee shot

LONDON, Oct 2, (AFP): Ryder Cup vice-captain Graeme McDowell believes the key to Europe’s success against the United States was that the players treated each other as equals and left their “egos at the door”.

Masters champion Patrick Reed criticized the leadership of the US team following their 17.5 to 10.5 defeat in France at the weekend.

In comments reported by the New York Times on Monday, Reed criticized the decision to split up his previously successful partnership with Jordan Spieth and suggested that “egos” had scuppered the American challenge.

Reed said the Americans had failed to take heed of their own inspirational messages pinned up in the team room.

“Every day, I saw ‘Leave your egos at the door,’” Reed said. In a reference to the victorious Europeans, he added: “They do that better than us.” a fractured eye socket and a damaged eyeball, Remande was set to consult a lawyer on Tuesday in a bid to obtain damages.

A Ryder Cup spokesperson said: “It is distressing to hear that someone might suffer long term consequences from a ball strike.

“The spectator hit by a ball at the sixth hole during Friday’s play was treated by first responders immediately and taken to hospital.

“We have been in communication with the family involved, starting with the immediate on-course treatment and thereafter to provide support, helping with the logistics of repatriation, including providing a transfer for the family from Paris to Lyon.

“We will continue to offer support for as long as necessary.

“We are hugely sympathetic and will do everything we can to support the spectator, insofar as that is possible under very difficult circumstances.”

US Open champion Koepka swiftly apologized to Remande following the incident.

But Remande told AFP on Monday she planned to pursue legal action, claiming there was no warning from officials before the ball hurtled into the gallery.

“Quite clearly, there is responsibility on the part of the organizers,” Remande told AFP as she left the Croix-Rousse hospital in Lyon.

“Officials did not shout any warning as the player’s ball went into the crowd.”

She added: “More than anything I want them to take care of all the medical bills to make sure there is no risk of infection.”

The statement from Ryder Cup organizers appeared to contradict her claims.

In this Sept 26, 2018 file photo, Europe’s Rory McIlroy, (right), and Europe team vice-captain Graeme McDowell walk on a fairway during a practice round for the 2018 Ryder Cup in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines,

outside Paris, France. (AP)