EUAN’S RYDER VERDICT

AT LE GOLF NATIONAL, PARIS swathes of the continent are Europe is united. This is the one anything but can’t be lost on us. time we play under that flag and

But perhaps because of Brexit this is the week, more than any rather than in spite of it, this other, that flag truly represents European team has been gifted the boundaries of all of Europe. a golden opportunity to lead by example with a collective performance that reminds us all of the immeasurable value in closeness, in partnership, in friendship.

As Bjorn put it in his heartfelt speech at yesterday’s opening ceremony – we’re stronger together. He said: “You’ve heard it said the Ryder Cup is unique and that’s true in so many ways.

“But one of the strongest and most powerful reasons why – if not the most powerful reason – is the fact this great sporting occasion is the one time where DON’T be fooled by the talk of Le Golf National not suiting Team USA because its design dilutes the advantage usually enjoyed by their big hitters.

If that was the case you could say the same issue limits Europe’s power players like Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm.

Team USA have been complimentary of the course and even drawn comparisons

Later the captain was at pains to insist this was no political statement, rather an emphasis of that communal spirit and desire to go the extra mile for your mates that has repeatedly driven European teams to produce the seemingly impossible.

Or the Miraculous in the case with their beloved TPC Players course at Sawgrass.

The morning match-ups only emphasise the strength in depth that Jim Furyk has at his disposal but it would be foolish to forget the quality of the side Europe has assembled.

In Francesco Molinari and Tommy Fleetwood, the home side has two of the most consistently accurate ball of Medinah 2012. Whatever the skipper’s intentions, it’s inevitable his words and the whole contest will be viewed through a wider prism.

Again, there is an irony to be found within this context and it’s only two years since their strongly-fancied rivals were at the heart of a debate about unity.

By coincidence the previous contest at Hazeltine was played out in the week of Donald Trump’s first live TV debate with rival Hillary Clinton. Yet it wasn’t only the most divisive US election in decades where the talk had been of Americans split right down the middle.

After the acrimonious conclusion of America’s fifth defeat in seven matches at Gleneagles in 2014, the festering sores within a US team long since plagued by failure were laid bare by Phil Mickelson. In strikers on a layout where precision is paramount. They’ll be a vital asset but Thomas Bjorn needs many more of his players to find their ‘A’ game.

In the end the sheer depth of America’s quality should shine through but it will by no means be as comfortable as many have suggested leading up to the greatest show in golf. America to win by two points. the wake of his withering public condemnation of Tom Watson’s leadership, changes were made.

A taskforce set up to discover, express and impose the will of the players on a brave new regime had been mobilised with the aim of getting things right for Hazeltine. They delivered against a European side helplessly outgunned 17-11.

Now this largely new-look band of young Americans have arrived seeking to press home their advantage and erase another legacy of shame on foreign soil stretching back to a distant memory of victory at the Belfry in 1993.

Not that this will be a cakewalk like the last time out.

Sure, questions hang over the consistency of Rory McIlroy, the fitness of Henrik Stenson and the form of controversial wild-card pick Sergio Garcia. But how many times have we seen these guys summon something special, fuelled by the fire that burns deep in the hearts of this European team.

Goodness knows they’ll need it again over the next three days to combat a fearsome rival packed with strength, only intensified further by Tiger Woods’s timely return to the winner’s circle at last weekend’s Tour Championship.

But like Bjorn said and as some politicians in London would be wise to appreciate – Europe’s greatest strength lies in its union.

EUAN McLEAN