‘Ruby’ shines out for Wilson as Ginola proves classy choice
Kaiser Chiefs and an old French favourite provided the starters, writes Daniel Zeqiri
When singing into a hairbrush in his teenage bedroom, one doubts Kaiser Chiefs frontman Ricky Wilson dreamt of performing before 40,000 golf fans and corporate invites in a Versailles field.
But after one of the poster boys of the 2005 indie scene dutifully performed his anthemic hit Ruby, the stage was clear to raise the curtain on golf ’s grandest spectacle – the 42nd Ryder Cup matches.
The opening ceremony was a production in its own right, fronted by David Ginola, the face who broke a thousand housewives’ hearts. Ginola’s life was saved by a six-hour quadruple bypass following a heart attack in 2016, so the events organisers can certainly claim their selection as a classy touch.
Unlike the Champions League final, viewers actually have the patience to stick with the Ryder Cup opening ceremony because there is no danger of acrobats or Cossack dancers delaying kick-off. With the first tee time 17 hours away, pulses are low enough to tolerate the stagey entertainment.
The one other musical number came from French artist Jain, who performed her hit single Alright, gyrating around in front of 12 nonplussed men more commonly known as the United States Ryder Cup team. Alright is the Ronseal of Europop, because it was exactly that and no more.
Jim Furyk, the first American to arrive in Versailles with 14 points in mind since Woodrow Wilson in 1919, gave a skilful diplomatic speech and we patiently awaited for his and Thomas Bjorn’s fourball pairings.
Our main host for the rest of the week, however, will be Sky Sports which has assembled a golf ensemble to rival its award-winning cricket colleagues. Sarah Stirk seamlessly replaced Sky foundermember David Livingstone as anchor in yesterday’s preview coverage, while straight-talking Solheim Cup veteran Laura Davies is a new addition.
The rest of the cast contains
familiar characters. Tiger Woods’s old coach Butch Harmon is in the Uncle Sam role, a part he played with relish by wearing a stars-andstripes tie. One-hit wonder USPGA champion Rich Beem and Australian Wayne Riley are on-course rovers while lead commentator Ewen Murray is masterful, with his soothing, barely perceptible Scottish lilt. Nick Dougherty mans the “Sky Zone” – a driving range area for demonstrations, clinics and challenges against famous guests. It is a welcome reminder to viewers that golf can be played as well as watched.