The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Europe stand shoulder to shoulder
The themes of Ryder Cup team rooms usually remain secret until the cup is won, but most European captains bring their own inspirations, writes Steve Scott.
At Gleneagles two years ago Paul McGinley brought in Sir Alex Ferguson to address his team, while at Medinah in 2012 the memory of Severiano Ballesteros was writ large all over Jose Maria Olazabal’s captaincy.
Monty had Sir Gareth Edwards, the prince of scrum-halves, and Tom Jones in for a Welsh flavour at Celtic Manor in 2010. In 2008, Nick Faldo had DJ Spoony in the team room at Valhalla … OK, it doesn’t always stir the blood.
For Darren Clarke, the inspiration seems to be the words of the AllIreland team song, “Ireland’s Call”, and its image of the island standing “shoulder to shoulder” despite the border that divides it.
Paul O’Connell, the former Irish rugby captain, arrived yesterday to play the celebrity match and give a team talk to Europe, no doubt in the same blunt and inspiring manner as he did for Ireland and the Lions, with the message of “Ireland’s Call” his theme.
Andy Sullivan, one of the European rookies, revealed that this theme is a major feature within the team room inside the Hazeltine clubhouse.
“It’s an absolutely fantastic image,” said the diminutive Warwickshire man. “There’s a picture of a place (Giant’s Causeway) near to where Darren lives at Portrush and it’s basically rocks shoulder to shoulder.
“That’s his motto for the week. We have a picture of all the players, lined up shoulder to shoulder. It’s quite motivating to look at yourself and see the guys you’re standing next to.”
For Sullivan, this week is already a dream come true.
“I’ve known for a few weeks I’m on the team and it was exciting, but when I put the team gear on to get on the plane on Monday, I had to pinch myself to see if it was actually real,” he said.
“I’m going to be nervous, I wouldn’t be human if I wasn’t, but I think it’s just amazing that I have the opportunity to go and showcase myself on one of the biggest stages in the world.
“And it’s incredible to mix with these great players, it’s really opened my eyes to a few things about preparation.”