Why a WhatsApp & # 039; love-in & # 039; was the key to the victory of the Ryder Cup in Europe
Ryder Cup 2018: Captain Thomas Bjorn and the European team raise the Ryder Cup
While Rory McIlroy and his Ryder Cup-winning teammates sunbathed in the success of their victory on the United States on Sunday, it turned out that the spirit in the European team was embodied in one thing – a "love-in" on their group WhatsApp chat.
With glass roaring in the middle of a party mood conveyed from the 18th green at Le Golf National, McIlroy told a press conference that he did not even have the messaging service before the week began.
After he was persuaded to download it to communicate with the rest of his Team Europe colleagues when they met Monday, he is now a convert.
"Thorbjorn Olesen did not call for a while," joked McIlroy, before Sergio Garcia said that the Dane would now do after winning his match against Jordan Spieth when Europe retook the Ryder Cup with an emphatic 17½- 10½ victory over the United States.
"We & # 39; ve had run this WhatsApp group for a while, which was a big love," McIlroy said. "That was a big part, we can all get along so well.
" There is something about this group of boys. There is continuity in our group that perhaps does not have the other side.
"The rookies in our team we have known for a long time, the great camaraderie we have is built up on the European Tour. It was such a good week."
& # 39; Underdog mentality & # 39; suitable for Europe – McIlroy
Thomas & # 39; tattoo promise
The Americans went to the Versailles site as strong favorites, but Captain Thomas Bjorn armed his players with an extra incentive to regain the Ryder Cup – the promise of a tattoo .
"We had an extra bit of motivation this week," said Ian & # 39; The Postman & # 39; Poulter, draped in the flag of his country.
Quizzed what that might be, McIlroy jumped in: "There could be a visit to a tattoo parlor for Mr. Bjorn."
Justin Rose asked his captain if it was a sketch of the winning score, and on where and how big it should be, McIlroy added: "As big as possible!"
"It's the worst decision I've made all week," Bjorn said. , admitting that he had agreed to be inked in a place that only his partner, Grace, should see.
Bjorn added: "Some people say that golf is boring, well, this is certainly not boring, I have seen many Ryder Cups but this is the top one."
& # 39; Postman & # 39; Poulter delivers again
Ian Poulter won two points from his four games at this year's Ryder Cup
Poulter is nicknamed & # 39; The Postman & # 39; because he & # 39; always delivers & # 39 ;. He did exactly that again on Sunday, the wildcard to see world number Dustin Johnson.
Poulter was greeted by fans in the suburbs of Paris and even took a fan & # 39; s mailbox pack to donate for the celebrations on the 18th green
"I could go and have a to post a couple of letters when I come home, "grinned the radiant Englishman, before suggesting that he would have the costume framed.
Praises his captain, Poulter added: "Thomas has been extremely quiet all week, he has let us all be very relaxed and understands every player on a personal level."
World number two Rose brought the press conference back to a serious note
"What this team did was not waiting for this moment," he said.
"We ticked each individual box all week long. Our focus was incredible."
& # 39; Moliwood & # 39; bromance continues
Tommy Fleetwood and Francesco Molinari became known as & # 39; Moliwood & # 39;
Francesco Molinari wrote himself in the Ryder Cup folklore with five points out of five games, the last of those who skipped Europe on the magical 14½-sign when he defeated veteran Phil Mickelson
Four of Molinari & # 39 s points came with Tommy Fleetwood at his side, and the Merseysider blew kisses while his teammate was questioned by the media.
Molinari, who made his first big place at age 35 He won the Open earlier this year and became the first European player to win a perfect 5-0 record at the Ryder Cup.
But he was quick to distance himself from the hero, saying that he had the right points in the competition had previously not made a profit in two Ryder Cups.
"My summer was great, but it's about these guys," Molinari said.
"I've been on tour, a bit and do not do much, my record [at Ryder Cups] wa It was shocking to come in this week, so statistically there was a good chance to get some gain points. "
Fleetwood chirped with a chuckle:" You are so full of yourself! "
Molinari shot back:" I love Tommy, we need to spend more time together. "
He added: "It was intense, but the adrenaline is so much that you can keep going.
" It's not about individuals, it's about the other guys in the team. "The atmosphere we have created, I do not feel a difference between five points or one point.
" It does not mean I do not mean anything if you do not win the cup. "
Tears, cheers and beer for Europe
Sergio Garcia: "Normally I do not cry, but I could not help it." What a week. "It was a tough year, but we fought hard." I am so grateful to Thomas Bjorn for believing in me. "
Francesco Molinari: "This means more than majors, more than anything else."
Ian Poulter on Twitter: "As parents, these moments we spend together are sometimes few and far between, Luke, but when moments like this happen, I have not disappointed you today."
Henrik Stenson: "We played our heart out – that's why we're here with the Ryder Cup, I played my best game of golf this week."
Rory McIlroy: "We suffered a very difficult loss in Hazeltine a few years ago, people questioned the choices and the quality and we showed our cohesion and solidarity this week."
Tiger Woods: "I am one of the factors that have contributed to the reason why we have lost the cup, and it is not very fun."
The European players did
EUROPENameCountryWonLostDrawPointsPaul CaseyEngland1111.5Tommy FleetwoodEngland4104Sergio GarciaSpain3103Tyrrell HattonEngeland1201Rory McIlroyNorthern Ireland2302Francesco MolinariItalië5005Alex NorenSweden1101Thorbjorn OlesenDenmark1101Ian PoulterEngland2202Jon RahmSpain1201Justin RoseEngland2202Henrik StensonSweden3003
