European captain Paul McGinley turned to former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson -- a man who knows all about winning -- to give his team a pep talk ahead of the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles.
How Europe won the Ryder Cup —
European captain Paul McGinley turned to former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson -- a man who knows all about winning -- to give his team a pep talk ahead of the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles.
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"I was sort of in this trance just listening to everything that he was saying," said Rory McIlroy of Ferguson's inspirational talk.<br />
How Europe won the Ryder Cup —
"I was sort of in this trance just listening to everything that he was saying," said Rory McIlroy of Ferguson's inspirational talk.
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While Ferguson provided the inspiration, part of McGinley's plan was to relax his players as much as possible. Stationed tactically right by the exit door in the European locker room was a quote from Bob Torrance --the late father of McGinley's vice-captain Sam -- which read: "Happiest days of our lives."
How Europe won the Ryder Cup —
While Ferguson provided the inspiration, part of McGinley's plan was to relax his players as much as possible. Stationed tactically right by the exit door in the European locker room was a quote from Bob Torrance --the late father of McGinley's vice-captain Sam -- which read: "Happiest days of our lives."
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No sporting occasion is complete without an electric atmosphere and as many as 40,000 fans flocked to the Gleneagles course each day. "The Scottish crowd, the people here were terrific," said Phil Mickelson. "They were very courteous, respectful of everybody."
How Europe won the Ryder Cup —
No sporting occasion is complete without an electric atmosphere and as many as 40,000 fans flocked to the Gleneagles course each day. "The Scottish crowd, the people here were terrific," said Phil Mickelson. "They were very courteous, respectful of everybody."
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McGinley and Team USA captain Tom Watson had a direct influence on 25% of their team with their three picks. McGinley's choices worked out better than those of Watson, notably Jamie Donaldson (pictured celebrating Europe's win), who formed a valuable twosome with Lee Westwood. The pair won two of their three matches together.
How Europe won the Ryder Cup —
McGinley and Team USA captain Tom Watson had a direct influence on 25% of their team with their three picks. McGinley's choices worked out better than those of Watson, notably Jamie Donaldson (pictured celebrating Europe's win), who formed a valuable twosome with Lee Westwood. The pair won two of their three matches together.
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Mickelson was very vocal in his criticism of Watson's lack of a "real game plan." Mickelson's remarkable broadside against his captain betrayed a lack of harmony behind the scenes in the losers' camp.
How Europe won the Ryder Cup —
Mickelson was very vocal in his criticism of Watson's lack of a "real game plan." Mickelson's remarkable broadside against his captain betrayed a lack of harmony behind the scenes in the losers' camp.
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