P.Drag Harrington learned from Bernhard Langer. In 2004, those in charge of the Ryder Cup told both teams not to give autographs to fans. When the Americans complied with this condition, German captain Langer instructed his players, including the Irishman Harrington, to do the exact opposite: to contact the fans as often as possible to meet all requests for a signature.
Entering this vile battle, the “Euro” defeated the American hosts in Michigan by a score of 18½: 9, the highest victory of the “underdogs” at home and at home.
Cheese hats and special dresses
Fifty-year-old Harrington revived this successful idea in the 43rd edition of Whistle Strait in Haven, Wisconsin. On the second day of training, he tried to attract at least a few American fans to his team.
Due to Kovid restrictions, autographs were not allowed this time, but Dubliner brought something. On Wednesday morning his twelve European players and their caddies came out with big cheese hats, and then they threw themselves into the exciting audience. Also, “Team Europe” wore green and yellow striped dresses.
After paying tribute to the state of Wisconsin, famous for its dairy products – a tribute to the Green Bay Packers football team, hundreds of miles north of the village of Haven. Colors. “Our supplier wanted to bring something Irish for me, but I told myself why not do something for Wisconsin.”
Captain Padreig Harrington (center) often tries to communicate directly with the audience. In the Rider Cup he has to do without it.
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Image: AFP
Harrington went one step further: “I used to be a fan of New England patriots, but from now on I’m one of the packers.” Clearly it worked: “US fans are brilliant so far, at least until now. They wished me all the best, not all, but a lot of good. That’s the decent thing to do, and it should end there. “
The 45-year-old Englishman was on the team 17 years ago, this year with teammates Lee Westwood (48), Paul Casey (44 / both England) and Sergio Garcia (41 / Spain). In contrast, there is no longer a player on Team USA, part of the game at the Auckland Hills Golf Club. Former Primus Dustin Johnson, 37, is the youngest member of “Team USA”. But the only point that speaks for guests is the experience.
“Everything speaks against us”
The Americans are sending eight players into the top ten in the world rankings. With the exception of Spanish world number one John Raham, none of these European Europeans are in this group. If the average ranking of Americans is nine, it is 31 for Europeans.
Therefore, Rory McIlroy believes that the successful title defense in Whistling Strait will be a bigger coup than the “Miracle of Medina” in Illinois in 2012.
“It makes more sense to win the Rider Cup from home. But if you look at the world rankings, everything speaks against us, ”the 32-year-old Northern Irishman added. A surprising statement, because Europe has won seven of the last nine wars, most recently in France with a clear rating of 17½: 10½ – – yet the Americans have a high rating.
Current champions from Europe do not see themselves as favorites to win the Ryder Cup.
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Build: A.P.
However, Captain Harrington also acknowledges the plight of his twelve professionals. He tried to boost their confidence by making a short film with the European tour, which he showed to his players on Monday evening after arriving in the team room and later posted it on Twitter. This short strip is about the number 164.
Few professionals from Great Britain, Ireland, and Europe have played since 1927 (since 1979), much less than they conquered Everest (more than 5,000), or more than circling in space (570) – more professionals have won one of the four modern majors (229).
“We belong to an absolute elite,” McClaroy supported his captain, who was optimistic about all the arguments against his choice: “The course plays like a real link course.” In addition, these traditional coastal courses in Scotland and Ireland are generally strong winds blowing over Lake Michigan, with speeds of up to 55 kilometers per hour on Wednesdays.
“Such courses require a little wind to make golf fun. Then you have to keep the ball flat,” Harrington added. It was like summer, ”said Rider Cup newcomer Lori Day.
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