Rahm, McIlroy and Rose value the legacy of legends like Severiano and Olazabal for the “Ryder culture”
MADRID, 1 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Europe’s captain at the Ryder Cup in Rome, Luke Donald, highlighted this Sunday the “preparation” and unity of his team, the work behind it, to execute a well-elaborated plan in the victory (16.5-11.5) over United States, while Rory McIlro and Jon Rahm valued the legacy that always accompanies the European team, already looking to the next edition on American soil.
“Not many were betting on us, especially two years ago, they were wrong,” Donald said at the official press conference after the European victory on a Sunday that lasted longer than expected. “We were in a perfect position, five up. It was in our hands. We followed the plan of the week, starting strong, using the public, the energy, emotions. There was a moment when I did look at the board thinking to see how we would get to 14 .5 but in the end we did it easily,” he said.
Donald received the support of his players to remain European captain in two years’ time. “I want to enjoy this moment, they haven’t asked me yet,” he said, to which McIlroy burst in. “Everyone here will be happy to have Donald back,” he said.
On the other hand, the captain referred to the feeling that the Ryder entails. “We have talked about the importance of not playing for yourself, but for those you love the most. It is very powerful. I played videos on Monday, of people who mean a lot to them, to encourage them. It is what makes Ryder special, we play for the people who mean a lot to us,” he said.
The Northern Irishman was the one who participated the most in the round along with Donald, with his role on the grass and also with the confrontation with Patrick Cantlay’s caddy, Joe LaCava who stayed longer than necessary on the 18th green on Saturday . The world number two explained that “time will heal” the “lack of respect”, after both wrote to each other after a strong confrontation.
“It’s my seventh Ryder, I don’t know how many more I’ll play, I’m probably in the second round of my Ryder career and each one I play has a lot of meaning. We’ve spent time together, we’ve gotten to know each other better. There was a plan, we knew our plan. “I’ve been playing for a month now. We had to be ourselves and play the way we know how,” McIlroy added.
In addition, the Northern Irishman launched the European order for the next Ryder that will be hosted by Bethpage Black Course, New York, in 2025. “The 19-9 two years ago hurt me, I didn’t have my best performance. There was talk of revenge, but it was redemption and teach what we can do. The greatest success is winning a Ryder outside and that is what we are going to do in Bethpage,” he said.
Another veteran like the Englishman Justin Rose also explained the importance of that “preparation”, of having “good information”, while talking about that European legacy in the Ryder. “These players are good at executing afterwards. We are united by a culture. We have people who taught us,” he said.
Speaking of those Ryder legends, it was Jon Rahm’s turn to speak. “I don’t have as much experience as Rose and McIlroy, but the Ryder is about forgetting who you are and what you have won. For me, as a Spaniard, it is very important to have Severiano, Olazabal and Sergio García. It is a high level. Olazabal always “He tells me things that inspire me. Following in his footsteps in trying to make the team better, being part of the locker room, is what I want to do. We joke around and nothing happens, it’s humility,” he confessed.
On the other hand, Tommy Fleetwood acknowledged “relief” after securing the European title on the 16th hole and Shane Lowry confessed with a laugh that, despite a pressure that he hoped he would not have as part of the last matches, he came to fantasize about putting the victory.