 Good morning. Welcome back to the 43rd Ryder Cup here, Whistling Straits. We are joined by Roy McElroy. Roy, welcome to your sixth career Ryder Cup. This is your sixth straight, so you've been on the scene for a decade, a decade of great prosperity for Europe. Maybe one thing in that decade that you've been around that's changed or evolved, and maybe one thing that hasn't changed and you hope never does. I think as the Ryder Cup has evolved, I think it's become bigger, I guess, every year as it becomes more... I mean, I thought last time in France and the size of that grandstand on the first tee and the grandness of it all, it definitely felt like that was the biggest yet. And then, in terms of things that haven't changed for us as Europe, there's a lot of continuity in our team and I think that's been part of the reason for our success and that's something that I hope never changes because it's worked very well for us. But yeah, I think the Ryder Cup epitomizes everything that's great in the game of golf. It's competitive, but there's also a lot of sportsmanship showing. And obviously there's partisan crowds and all of that, but that's part of being in a team environment. You're going to have a majority of the crowd written for one team or the other and I guess that's not something we get to experience every day. So yeah, Ryder Cup is one of the best events that we have in golf, if not the best event we have in golf and I'm just excited to be a part of another one. It's good to have you here. Let's start right here, number 20 with Neil. Hi, Rory. With yourself and so many of your teammates spending a lot of your lives over here, does it make any less of an away game or will it be particularly away game style this time with very few fans from Europe? Yeah, I don't think so. I think of anything that has evolved over the years with the Ryder Cup is the European team and the US team are probably closer than they ever have been individually. We all spend a lot of time over here. We play predominantly on the PGA Tour. So there is a part of that, but you know you're on there. There's a sea of red everywhere here. It feels like an American Ryder Cup. But then again, I haven't been here in a few years and you first look at the golf course again and it seems somewhat familiar and it doesn't look like a typical American golf course. So whether that makes a difference or not, that's to be seen. But I said this in a few of the interviews before this week. I don't feel like playing away is getting any easier. Let's go to number 21 here. Rory, a little bit of the same topic. The Americans obviously play for America. If your team you're up, there's a lot of countries there. What's kind of the rallying point that brings you all together? We play for each other. I think that's the best thing that you can do. You play for the guys that are beside you. You play for everyone that's helping our team try to win this week. You're obviously playing for your country and your continent and I guess your tour in some way as well. But most of all we play for each other. Dan, 24. Rory, the Ryder Cup could have maybe been played last year, but that would have likely meant no fans. I know this isn't a way game for you this week, but what does it mean to have the fans here and what role did they play in this event? I just think it makes it a greater spectacle. There were talks of having the Ryder Cup last year with limited fans or no fans. My argument was it wouldn't be a Ryder Cup at all. I don't think either team would have been to the European teams' benefit to not have that, but it's not a Ryder Cup then. So it's great to have fans back. It's funny when the Ryder Cup was cancelled last year. I still didn't imagine that we'd be doing this and everyone would still be in masks. Things went on for far too long, but happy we're here and we're happy to be playing. Let's go to number one, Scott. Rory, typically you're one of the top ranked Europeans on this team. Have you ever felt a leadership burden when you come to the Ryder Cup? Or do you defer to some of the guys like Polter and Sergio and Westwood who have been here even more often than you? And is it something that maybe you will have to take on as an elder statesman, so to speak, as the Ryder Cup goes on? Yeah, I think I've already tried to evolve into that role. This being my sixth Ryder Cup 2014, I felt like it was the year that I embraced the role of being a leader. And then going on from then. But yeah, I think that's one of the great things about the European team. It's not as if we're just looking to one guy or one new. There's a collection of very experienced players there that some of the younger guys and the rookies can look at. And then you look at our vice captains as well and you look at all the pivotal roles that they've played in Ryder Cups over the years. So we have no shortage of leaders in our team. Let's go to Mark on four. Hey, Roy. I'm just curious, what's your impression of what Polts and Sergio and Lee have done, the longevity, the success and what's your level of respect that they've meant to this team over these years? It's amazing. You look at someone like Lee Westwood, for example, partnered Nick Faldo in 97 when it was Faldo's last Ryder Cup. It was his 11th. Fast forward, however many years it is, and now Lee's playing his 11th Ryder Cup. So I think that's one of the cool things about it is it does come full circle. We have this thing this week where we've all been given a player number. So there's been 164 players that have played for the European Ryder Cup team, or GBNI, way back in the day. So that's a pretty small group of players. I'm number 144, I think Lee's number 118. But then you just look at all the players before you and you look at Brent Viesberger who's making his debut this year, who's in number 164. It's a small collection of people that have played for Europe in the Ryder Cup and I think that's what brings us very close together. That's been one of our big focus points this week is just being here as very special and being part of a European team. Very few people can call themselves a European Ryder Cup player. Was that Patty's idea of the numbering? Yeah. We played a video for us last night to put it into context. 570 people have been into space. I think over 5,000 people have climbed Everest. 225 have won a man's major. So when you sort of break it down like that, it's a pretty small group and it's pretty cool. We're going to beam out for a question from afar. Here's Herman Fulvic. Thank you from VG in Norway. You had your debut in Ryder Cup when you were only 20-year-old. Victor Hovland is now 24. What's your best advice to such a young player like Victor before this big competition? I think the reason you're on this team is because of the golf that got you here. For Victor, I just tell him to be himself. He's one of the best players in the world. He's already been a wonderful teammate and the energy and enthusiasm that he brings into our team. So for Victor, I just get out on the golf course, be himself, play his game, and that's more than good enough to win points for the European team. We're going back left for you, Rory, number 25. Rory, in your opinion, is the PJ Tour player of the year on Team Europe or Team USA? I don't care. I just care I'm on the winning team this week. Can I ask another one? Go ahead. You made the point that Europe plays for each other. Do you think the American team struggles with that? No, I mean, I was just sort of, from my perspective, being part of a team for six of these things. I'm just speaking from a personal perspective and what I've seen from the European team. I'm going to go straight back here, number 23. Rory? I may be wrong, but I think you've developed a bit of an interesting name in boxing. And I think you've met Anthony, haven't you? Yeah. I just wondered if you'd had any communication with him, because obviously he's got a very big night for him Saturday. And whether you've had any exchanges with him in the build-up to your big weekend and his big weekend? No, because the last time I saw him, he was doing his camp in Miami, and then he went up to New York and didn't have a great night. But yeah, no, it's a big night for him. Pretty big task. I mean, this looks like a really good fighter. Hopefully, the last time I'm rasted on Saturday afternoon, I'll hopefully be on the golf course, so I won't be able to watch it, but I wish him all the best and all the luck. I think how he conducts himself and how he represents himself on the sport of boxing is, you know, he's talking about leadership and talking about doing the right thing. You know, he's the epitome of that. We're going to go for a couple straight in the back right, 11 and then 12. 11, please. Hi, Rory. The last time we saw you playing right-a-cup in America was probably as animated as we've ever seen you on the golf course. Do you think you need to tap into that same level of energy and the fact that it's almost exclusively American crowd, will that help you that cause? Yeah, I certainly will try to not be as animated and I'll try to conserve some energy. It's a long week and whether I play all five again, we'll see, but it's a lot of golf. It's a lot of energy just playing and then trying to beat who you're playing against. You know, if you try to beat the crowd as well, it seems like a bit of an impossible task, so I will try my best for this team and I'll try to play the best golf I possibly can. But I sort of learned quite a few things from 2016 about conserving energy and I felt like I sort of hit a wall on the back nine against Patrick that day and I want to make sure that that doesn't happen again. Was that the most animated you've been, do you think, and the most pumped up? Yeah, I think the most animated I've been in my career has been at Ryder Cups. It just brings something out of you that you don't get playing individually. There's something more there when you're playing as part of a team and everything you do doesn't just affect yourself but affects the other eleven players, the captain, the vice-captains, all the support teams. There's a lot of emotion that comes out but you still have to try to control that as well. Okay, we have time for two quick ones. Twelve first and then we'll come over here. Just in the context of what you were saying about Ryder Cup getting bigger and getting harder to win away, if Europe could get over the line, what would that mean in the context of your career? How big an achievement would that be? It would be massive. I think winning any Ryder Cup is huge and it's a monumental achievement for all that are involved but I think over the years winning a Ryder Cup on the road has just become more meaningful for some reason. We experienced it in 2012 which from a European perspective is probably one of the best days in the Ryder Cup that we've ever had in history. I'd certainly love to have that feeling again. I think it would be a huge achievement especially. Obviously this tournament isn't played on paper, it's played on grass but on paper you look at the world rankings and everything. We're coming in here as underdogs with a lot of things stacked against us so I think that would make it even more of an achievement. We're going to wrap it up here at six. Yeah, Rory, just being here at the end of the PGA Tour season, I was just wondering your confidence level with your own game right now and if there's anything specifically that you're focused on? I feel good. I played well the last few weeks. I led the season and Birdie's made on the PGA Tour and Birdie Percentage so usually that works out pretty well in match play. So yeah, I'm feeling good. Should we expect to see you wearing hats this week? They made some for me so that's a start. So I've got some that fit. Maybe, I don't know, it's sort of become my thing in the Ryder Cup to not wear a hat but I don't know, we'll see. Wait with a bit of breath, Rory, thank you for finding us and have a terrific day. Thanks guys. We are very pleased to be joined by Victor Hovland. Victor, welcome to your first Ryder Cup. So as a first-time Ryder Cup or how comforting is it to be in a team room with so much vast experience, not only in golf but especially in this competition? Yeah, obviously it's a very big stage and you know kind of what it means to people so that's why I think it's extra comforting when you get into a team room and you have not only veteran players but also vice-captains and captains. So I feel like just the whole support team and the players and everyone around it just have so much experience that they're having fun but at the same time they're very at ease and I think that kind of rubs on not only me but also the rookies and just makes everyone feel a lot better. Alright, let's hit the floor for some questions. We'll start out with Neil at 20. Victor, how do you see your role in the team room specifically this week? Is it to watch and listen or are you actively trying to contribute something particular there? That's a good question. I haven't really thought much of that. I'm going to list my first Ryder Cup and I'm only 24 years old and kind of what I'm trying to do this week is just play as well as I can and try to be myself. I'm not trying to be anyone else and just try to get to know the people on the team well. I think we're already off to a good start. We've only been here for 24 hours and our chemistry is good and I'm going to learn as much as I can from the guys that have been there five, six, seven times. I have so much experience and I'm just trying to be around it. I should point out to those joining us from afar that we will do some questions in Victor's native tongue in a few minutes so we'll get to you. Next question will go to number 21. Victor, do you have any childhood memories of watching this event on TV and thinking I want to be a part of that? That's cool. The first Ryder Cup that I actually sat down and watched to the end essentially was at Medina. I wasn't too young but I remember a lot of those final putts coming down the stretch very vividly and I was sitting there watching with my dad and I remember just going nuts so there's a lot of really good memories from then and every single Ryder Cup after that I've been paying close attention and as well as just playing college golf in the United States being a part of a team and playing for something bigger than yourself I don't think he gets any better than that. Victor, we're going to go back right for you, number 11. Victor, first couple of things. Was there an eye-opening moment for you when you first linked up with the team something that took you completely by surprise? Not really. I'd say kind of when we just created the group text that we had together that was just one of the first things that made everything kind of sink in. While we were playing the Ryder Cup next week and I remember just really looking forward to meeting up with the guys here and just spending a lot of time together. It's not what we do but just being together and just talking about nothing and anything I think that's really, really cool. I'm being around players that I've watched compete in the Ryder Cup since I was very, very young and it's an honor to be a part of them on the team. You said that it is a bit of an eye-opener for you at 24. Can you imagine what it was like for Sergio at 19 and then at the other end of the scale, you've got Lee Westwood at twice your age? Yes, it's crazy. They bring so much history into this event and those guys are a couple of the guys that the reason why this term in it is what it is because they've brought so much passion and blood, sweat and tears into this event that it makes it so much more special to be on the team and even the same team as them. When you put it into perspective like that, it's really cool. Victor, front left with Jeff at 19. Victor, you'll be listed as a rookie this week. It's been a nice success in match play. What do you like about the format? And secondly, if you were to pair with Rory this week, do you feel you'd mesh pretty well with him? I think so. I think we've got a lot of the same strengths and kind of personality-wise we think a lot alike. I've grown up in Europe. We play tons of match play and we play tons of foresooms and miscellaneous events. So I have some experience doing that and I very much like it. You know, I like to compete with someone and be on a team. So for me, when you get a person that you mesh well with, it's a lot of fun. And obviously playing in the NCAAs and college and US Amateur, I've got some experience playing match play and I'd say some of my best golf has been played in that format. So it's all about getting comfortable and you get a couple of putts going and you get momentum. Nothing is much more fun than doing that in match play. Over here on your right, number eight. Hey, Victor, I know you can't name names, but I'm curious. Do you feel like right now you know who you're going to play with and maybe when you're going to play on Friday? Or is that still something that you feel like is to be determined? It's still to be determined. You know, as we all do, we say who we want to play with and then we just kind of use these days to figure out, okay, is this a good fit or not? Do we work together? And then we kind of go from there. Other than that, I don't really know. We're going to go to number four, Mark. Hi, Victor. I just wonder if you could please expand a little bit on your level of respect for the veteran guys, the particular guys, Lee, Sergio and Pulse, in terms of what these guys have done over the years in this competition and you being on your first, thinking about Lee in his 11th. Yeah, it's crazy. I probably don't have enough respect as I should have, but you know, you look at their records, how many events they've won, not just in Europe, not just in the United States. You know, worldwide, they've won so many events. And then obviously, time and time again, when they show up to this week, they deliver every single time. You know, just, you know, I said a couple of weeks ago and just watched, you know, highlights of Pulse and Sergio and Westie on YouTube and the Ryder Cup and you know, it's just so cool to see all the clutch moments they've had and just kind of how they handle everything, you know, because it's a big pressure and just to see how they go about their business and handle all of that, I think that's also why it's cool to be, you know, behind the scenes with them, you know, when there's no cameras and they're not playing golf to kind of see, you know, why they've been able to do all those things. Okay, we're going to do three quick ones in English and then we'll switch languages. We'll start with Damien, number seven. Victor, it seems like the European Ryder Cup competitors, whether they're rookies or veterans, they seem to have this in their blood from an early age. What's your earliest recollection of the Ryder Cup? When did it become something that you paid attention to and that was important to you? Yeah, the 2012 Ryder Cup was kind of the first one that I watched the whole thing, essentially. And I mean, just watching that as a European, that gets your heart going. So I think that was kind of the big part of, you know, making the Ryder Cup one of my dreams to play in. And, you know, it's just all in all, they're obviously great players that play on these teams, but they're also great people. And I think as soon as you're just in that environment, you just want to be part of it. And, you know, it's easier to play for something bigger than yourself when you all like who you're with. So I think that's a big part of it, and obviously just a tradition of it. Let's go one on two, and then Scott on one. So Victor, you've been playing in the U.S. for a while, I mean, in college and then PGA tour. You kind of have a fan base, if you want, or people that root for you. And you are not the only one in your team in a situation this week where you're going to have a lot of people rooting against you. So how do you prepare yourself for that? Or do you have mental exercises that you do? No, I mean, I'd like to think I have some fans out there that maybe won't necessarily boo against us. But, you know, if they do end up doing that, you know, that's what they're going to do. We're still going to play golf, and if they do end up doing that, that means we're doing something good. I'm not going to take anything too personally. You know, I can take a punch to the face. I've definitely gotten my beating so far in the group text. So, you know, I think I'm prepared for some y'all here and there. Scott. Victor, I'm curious who other than Padre is the most active voice on that group text, and what kind of things are you all talking about on there? Probably shouldn't disclose too much. But no, it could be anything. It could be logistical stuff. It could just be, hey, what, like, you know, you hit balls and you're tracking my numbers, or it could be, you know, it could just be anything. You know, what are you cooking, what are you eating? Just kind of, just to get to know each other better. And I'd say we're all pretty vocal in it. You know, it's just not, it's not just one or two people just firing off and annoying the rest of the bunch. We're all pretty active in it. So that's, that's, that's good. Yeah. What kind of beating have you taken? Well, there's been some team members that have gotten a hold of some old pictures of me and had some fun with them. So, but it's all, it's all a good banter. And again, just bringing us closer together. All right, we're going to beam out here. We're going to start with Aspen Blaker. Aspen, you are with Victor. Go ahead, sir. Victor, you play, you have both a press conference and play with Rory on the first playday. There are many who have seen for themselves that Dr. Togan played together on Friday. It might not have happened afterwards, or how do you look at it? Yes, it would have been great to play with Rory in the tournament. Of course, it's the first playday and we try to put some people together to see how that works. So, yeah, we'll see how it goes. It's still a few days until it happens. But it would have been great to play with him, together with several almost all teams that I could have played with nicely. So, it's one of the other great guys and it could be a good way to play. All right, we're going to be joined by Fredrik Tombra. Fredrik, go ahead, sir, you're with Victor. Thank you. You were talking about sugar cane all the time when you get a lot of pink reservoir stones. How is it really to get over so many words? No, it's nice. So, if you mean to say that, that's another thing. No, it's nice to get positive words when it comes to your way. And that's just the truth. It's very nice to have people on that team here and you want to be with each other. So, it's not a joke to say anything. All right, we're going to wrap it up with our friend Herman Fulvic. Herman, go ahead, my friend. Thank you. So, what are you looking for with these more routine things? What have you learned the most and are you most focused on these days? Yes, the most important thing is that it's a lot of logistic things, what happens when you play golf. Because it's the easiest, because you know how to play golf, I play golf. But what happens around it, is how they just handle things. They're so relaxed and relaxed, but at the same time they're enthusiastic and they play their eleventh this year. And I can't wait to play on Friday or Sunday. So, it's just to be around people who have a lot of confidence in themselves and just let it sink in. All right, Victor, thank you, sir, for finding me. We are joined by Mr. Lee Westwood. Lee, thanks for being with us and welcome to what is your eleventh career Ryder Cup. Had a terrific career. I have to imagine I'm playing in eleven Ryder Cups now. And especially in such an era of European team prosperity. That must be one of the things you hold in the highest regard about your own career. Yeah, for sure. The first time I ever went to watch a golf tournament it was the Ryder Cup at the Belfry in 1989. And then again in 1993. I didn't ever go and see the PGA at Wembley or the British Masters at Woburn. The first golf tournament I ever played in actually, I went to actually played in, it was Madeira. So, really the sort of best feel for professional golf I ever got was watching, you know, the likes of Seve Ballesteros and Ian Woosner and Nick Faldo and Bernard Langer playing at the Belfry in the Ryder Cup. So, when I did come around to play in 1997 it gave me a real feel for it that this was the pinnacle of certainly golf team sport. Nothing really compares to the Ryder Cup, I think. It's very difficult to make Ryder Cup teams and very special when you do qualify for a team and get to represent Europe. And you've done that well. Thank you. Let's start over here with Mark, number four. Bailey, just curious what you believe has made you such a good Ryder Cup player and I ever follow on that? I'm a pretty good golfer, Mark. Always helps, doesn't it? I think, you know, I get on pretty well with everybody. You know, if somebody partners me, I'm pretty straight hitter of the ball, I hit a lot of fairways, I hit a lot of greens, that's sort of what my game's been renowned for. You know, I do make puts when I need to despite what people's opinions might be. I just try to make playing partners comfortable and let them just do what they're doing. That's really what I learned from playing my first one with Nick Faldo. He just let me... He was there to back me up and I knew he was always going to be there and, you know, just let your playing partner get off and express themselves. Best player to ever do that playing with me was probably Nicholas Colsarts in his first ever match in a Ryder Cup in Chicago. He went out and shot 10 under, which was, you know, a phenomenal debut. I only came in once that day but, you know, I like to think that, he just felt comfortable that I was going to be there, you know, if he needed me. And then that's just the way I've always tried to be out on the golf course. Are there any common denominators between yourself and Sergio and Pulse, for example, because you're three of the kind of the veteran guys on the group here and you've all had success? You know, what's your level of respect for those two guys? Yeah, obviously I have a lot of respect for both of them. I think all three of us are very passionate about the Ryder Cup and, you know, we give it our all when we're involved. Let's go right next door to number three. Given this is going to be almost an exclusively American crowd like we've not seen before, have you guys done anything different or have you personally done anything different to prepare for that? No, not really. Just sort of understand that it is and nothing's going to change that. And, you know, you just have to deal with it. I'd much rather play in front of a crowd that's solely US fans than no crowd at all like we experienced last year. Playing professional golf is all about playing in front of people and entertaining people. And, you know, the majority of the crowds are great fun. You know, I played in the US most of this year and I get great feedback from, you know, the fans. They've watched me grow up out here and, you know, they really feel like, I guess, they know me now. You know, there's a familiarity there and, you know, the US fans are generally very, very good with me and give me a lot of support. I'll be different this week, but, you know, understand that, you know, this is different this week. This is more like a football game or, you know, a basketball game where people have picked a side and, you know, you cheer for your side, which, you know, I enjoy it. That's what the Ryder Cup's all about. And Rory mentioned a video that you guys watched last night and the numbers that you were given. Can you tell us a little bit more about that video, what was in it and what the message was? Yeah, the video's about, you know, representing Europe, obviously, and there's 164 players that's represented Europe. You have a far greater chance of going into space or climbing Mount Everest than you have representing Europe in the Ryder Cup. So we've all got numbers. Mine's the smallest number, obviously, at 118. But, yeah, it's something to be very proud of, being able to, you know, pull on the clothing with the European team crest on it. Let's go back greatly to David, number 11. Hi, David. Hello, Lee. How are you? Welcome to America. Thank you. Victor was in here just now. Exactly half your age. You're going to be practising with him this afternoon. When you look at that contrast, does it make you feel A, old, or B, even more proud of your longevity? Yeah, it makes me proud of my longevity, really. You know, week in, week out, I play with somebody that's the same age as my son now. So, you know, I'm pretty much used to that. The fact that it was his 24th birthday last week was a little bit surprising. But, you know, I made my ride a cup debut in 1997. I was 24. You know, he's a special golfer, Victor. I enjoy playing with him. You know, I look at his game, and, you know, I think there's not a lot of weaknesses to that game. He's a really nice kid, I would say. You know, credit to his parents for obviously the way he's been brought up. He's just a really nice young man. And secondly, he's a phenomenal golfer, and one that I just enjoy watching and being around. Has he got more in common with your caddy than with you? Yeah, I'd say they chat about more things that they can both relate to than myself, Victor, can relate to. Certainly not music, but all that heavy metal stuff. We're going to come over here at number 21, right here. Lee, another question about being old. I'm sorry, but... Well, I'm not old. I'm about 48. Come on. How old are you? Older than that. Well, there you go. Fair enough. But... Mature. Can we use the word mature? No, actually mature doesn't apply to me either, so... In 2018, you were a vice captain, and I'm just wondering, kind of, back then, were you sort of thinking this might be the end of my playing days? How did you take all of that? And did you see this coming? Yeah, I think when you become a vice captain, first and foremost, I enjoyed being a vice captain. I enjoyed watching the guys play and obviously performing very well, but it does give you a taste that you want to still be involved. But as the years go on and you get a little bit older, you don't know whether you're going to play Ryder Cup again. It's obviously nice to be back holding the clubs again, rather than other people. I said to the lads in the team room three years ago, I said there's one thing worse than playing Ryder Cup practice rounds, and that's watching somebody else do it. So it's nice to not be watching somebody else do it and doing it myself again. Same direction, 27 in the back. Lee, the Americans have made a point to cite that their youth is something that's a positive for their team. What do you read into that kind of comment? And do you think that is something that could be a perk coming to the Ryder Cup being young and maybe unaware? Well, I think it's good that they've got a lot of young players coming through. I think golf in general, there's a lot of good young players coming through. We've got players on our side. And on our European tour. The Hoigard Twins won recently. They're both 21 years of age or 20 years of age or something like that. So there are good young players all around the world. It just so happens that at this moment in time, the United States have got a few good young players playing for their team this way around. And that's a balancing act, I suppose. Because the Ryder Cup is so different, do you think that experience counts for a lot this week? Or do you think because there's a lot of golf youth it's going to count for a lot this week? I think it's got to be a balance of both. And I think in an ideal world, you'd like to filter your young players in gradually, a few at a time, not necessarily bang all at once and have half your team as rookies. But that just, it happens like that every now and again. And listen, when I look at the United States team, I think they've got a lot of strong players and it is almost like a change in of the guard for them. Over on your right, Lee, number seven. Lee, I'm always impressed by the passion of the European team having covered this event for many years. I'm just curious, back in 97, did Monte or Ali or someone put their arm around you and tell you how important the Ryder Club is or did you know from day one, even before you ever struck a shot in these matches that this was as important as anything you would do in golf? I knew from day one, really. Listen, that week the captain was Seve Ballesteros. There's nobody, there may have been one or two people over many generations been as passionate as Seve about the game of golf. But I doubt there's been many as passionate about the Ryder Cup as Seve was. He was my captain at the first one and you just fed off him, really. With Nick Fallow as my partner, Seve and Nick both held the Ryder Cup in high regard and just being around them, you could see how much it meant to them. So passion for the Ryder Cup was never something that I had to learn or gain. Pretty much like the European team spirit, it's not something we have to work on. We've got about three minutes left. Let's go rapid fire. Let's start with number 24 here in the middle. Lee, how long did it take you to get over the defeat of 2016 and do you feel like you have unfinished business this time? A couple of days, I guess. Obviously you don't want to be on a losing Ryder Cup team and I've only been on three out of ten. I've tasted success more than I've tasted defeat in the Ryder Cup. When you go into the Ryder Cup, you have to understand that it's going to come out one or two ways. You're either going to win or you're going to lose. You prepare yourself to play the best you can and you hope you win but on the other side of that coin you might lose, the other team might play better. I think the United States team did that week so you just have to accept that. If you accept defeat in sport then you probably shouldn't be playing it especially as a golfer. 26 and then 20, we'll wrap it up. Lee, you have a bit of a history in the Ryder Cup with American captain Stricker, two four ball matches and a singles match. What do you recollect about those experiences with him that might show us how he carried himself and what these matches might mean to him? Yeah, I think Steve's a gentleman. I've always gotten on really well with him. We've been through the same things in a career together. Been high up in the world rankings, had slumps drop right back down. I remember playing with him in Tiger's tournament at Sherwood many years ago and we got drawn together and we had a great conversation on the way around about how we brought ourselves out of the slump and he's a nice guy, he's the kind of person that you'd want to sit down and have a beer with. Wrap it up here, number 20, Neil. Hello, Lee, what's the best line you've heard from a crowd at Ryder Cup? I got called a turd in Hazeltown in 2016 and that's the first time I've been called a turd since I was about 12 years of age in the playground I think so that really made me and Billy chuckle that one. We'll leave it right there. Mr. Westwood, thank you for being here and have a terrific day and week. We are joined by Mr. Sergio Garcia, Sergio, welcome. Thank you. 10th career Ryder Cup, you've hit double digits, my friend. But the other number I want to ask you about is 25.5, all-time leader in this wonderful event in points. I mean, that's just an incredible thing. How aware are you of that and just blows me away? How does it impact you and do you take that to the first tee with you Friday, Saturday and Sunday? No, not really. I don't think that means anything once you step up there. I think to be totally honest, I really wasn't aware until Sunday, three years ago in Paris because it's never been a goal of mine. Don't get me wrong, I'm very proud of it and it's something that obviously I'm going to have at least the rest of my life personally. But once you step on that first tee, it's not about you, it's about the team and I've always said it, I'd rather go 0-5 and win the Ryder Cup than 5-0 and lose it and that's not going to change, it doesn't matter. The most important thing is that Europe plays well, that we give ourselves a best chance to win the Cup and that's the goal. Alright, let's hit the floor for some questions. We'll start with Damian this time in 7, then we'll come to Mark. Sergio, we first saw you in 99, you were running around the golf course like Usain Bolt. When did the Ryder Cup get in your blood? In 95. Yeah, I remember I was at the Junior Ryder Cup and we went to watch the practice round at Oak Hill in Rochester and I remember Sebi grabbed me under the ropes and I think I walked. I think it was the 12th hole, a little bit of the 12th hole and we were talking a little bit and he was explaining things to me. So that was obviously amazing, took a picture and stuff and then I remember I walked into the International Pavilion and saw some of the European crowds just singing and the energy that I felt, I remember as a 15-year-old I was there and was like, I have to be a part of this at some point in my life and obviously it came a lot earlier than I thought in 99 but from that moment on I loved it and then obviously 99 was amazing with Jesper and even though we lost it, the way the whole week went it just felt unbelievable. Alright, Mark on number four. Hey Sergio, what in your mind has been the secret to your success in this competition and as a follower of that, is there a common denominator for guys like Polts and Lee, the veterans on this group all of whom have had a lot of success here? I don't know, I've obviously had amazing partners so I've obviously done some good things myself but I've just been able to gel nicely with all the partners that I've had and we've had an amazing time I've been very thankful for that but I think at the end of the day like I was saying the main goal is the team and where the team wants to head to and that's what we always try so you kind of put yourself aside for this week and just enjoy it with the rest of your teammates and everyone around. Unrelated follow with the video that Patty showed you guys and everybody having a number and whatnot I'm just kind of curious how powerful that is to you guys It was very powerful, I didn't know my number I knew that I've always known that being a part of the Radicap team is very difficult but I didn't know that that little amount of players have made it so that shows you how difficult it really is so that's why every time I'm a part of a team or the rest of our teammates that's why we give it the respect that it deserves because it's so difficult to be a part of it so it's an honor and we treat it like that Going to go front right with Jeff Sure Joe, you mentioned obviously you've had different partners through the years with the Ryder Cups I think you've partnered Lee maybe seven times How early on do you know if something is going to work or not and why would you two mesh so well? No, I mean it just I guess chemistry how you feel, I mean we've had some good matches that we won and then we had some ones that maybe we haven't played as well so it just comes down to how you feel that week and more than anything just kind of being there for your partner enjoying your time with him and in the good and the bad and the ugly so just enjoy it, it's simple as that Right here, number 20 Quick file Sergio, what was your number? 120 120, okay Does Team Europe, does the Ryder Cup mean more to Team Europe than Team USA? I can't respond that I don't know how much it means to us but I don't know how much it means to them I know that to us it means a lot and just being a part of it, it's amazing for us so I mean that's pretty much the only thing I can tell you about it I guess And one more if you don't mind In 2018, John Rom defeated Tiger Woods How big do you think that was in his progression of now being world number one? I think it was important for sure and he'll probably tell you about it better but I think he was headed that way anyway he's just a great player he's got all the shots and it's just nice to see as a Spaniard, it's nice to see how he's evolved and obviously he's grown up and the way that his game has gotten better and better so it's nice to see and you could see that he was kind of headed that way We're on the right there, number five Hey Sergio, it's a little bit of an extension of Mark's question but in terms of, you know, regardless of how you're playing you seem to show up at this event with just remarkable consistency This is maybe a difficult thing to answer but how do you take that energy or whatever you're feeling is around this event and how much it means to you to put that into executing shots and making putts? I don't know I mean, to be totally honest obviously I've had radicals where I come where I come into them playing really well and I've done well and then there's radicals where I've come maybe not feeling quite as well and I seem to hit a switch when I get here so obviously the excitement that I get when I come into the radicals it's something that I can't describe it I can't tell you why it happens but it happens it's just love for it and yeah, it just comes down to challenging yourself every match it's fun to me the energy that you feel around the course not only with the crowds with your partners and with your teammates but it's something very unique and it seems to drive me to a high level I guess and that flipping of the switch that you're describing when does that happen? is it a slow build through the week and then your first match the kind of switch goes or you start early? no, it probably starts as soon as you know you're in the team obviously it grows as you get closer to crunch time and Friday morning or Friday afternoon whenever you're going to play but obviously Friday morning when everything starts that's when it starts hitting the highest point but it just kind of builds up as soon as you know you're in the team it's exciting and I've been like last week with practicing and stuff and every morning I will wake up and I will turn to my wife Angel and I'll say ok you know we're getting closer we're getting closer to going to the Rydecap so it's always such a fun thing Sergio we're going to beam out to Paolo Paciani Paolo you are with Sergio go ahead sir Paolo can you hear us? ok, thanks Paolo we're going to go to Juan who's going to ask some questions in your native language well Sergio yesterday we talked a bit with the captain with Patrick about the importance of having the experience you have and the experience of the team and at the end you've been playing 9 Rydecap you've been in 10, 7 European champions all of this has importance and it's intimidating yes obviously I think all of these things are important but then Friday morning Friday morning it's very good but you start from zero so you have to take into account that the Americans won't give you an eye because you've won so many Rydecaps you've played so many this one doesn't work like that but it's always nice to have a good history in an event like this and the important thing is to keep helping the team talking about the experience with Holland and other players who have played in the United States for a long time people support them when they go on the tour and suddenly here they find out that this is not going to work and I think we're very few Spaniards here this week I don't know if someone is coming with you so how do you compensate for that how do you do it obviously it's hard between us but you know it's like this there's no more your aunt it's as simple as that the good thing is that the energy of the public can be used in your favor even if it's not for you, you can use it in your favor knowing that it's one of the things that some of the rookies comment if the field is quiet that's good for us in the United States it means that we're doing good things it doesn't mean that nothing is going on normally if there's no applause or there's not much normally the Europeans are doing it well and then it's quiet it's important that they know that it's good for us so that they don't think that nothing is going on so it's good it's always good that they know playing here in the United States and well, you have to try to take advantage of all those moments and many of you have mentioned this week of course, and there's a history of the Raider that also has to do with Seve and Chema and that role as the older brother that had Seve with Chema do you think that with John it's starting to happen and it can bring an energy that works this week and in the future yes, without any doubt obviously we'll see what happens to see if we play together this week it would be nice but at the end the important thing is what's best for the team sorry if the captain and the vice captain think that we can help the team better being separated we'll do it that way if they think that we can help more playing together to enjoy the two together then we'll see what happens and the last one talking about the experience a little bit, and you said the older brother do you have that feeling that you touch a little or do you have a little older brother with the team and guide them and calm them and do these things yes, without any doubt, but not only me I think that as you said Ian, Westwood Rory, Rory and John as well so it's important that all of us put our part and all of us put our umbrella so that if anyone needs it then come, and whatever it is comment, trust a hug at the moment that touches then you have to be there for all that kind of things and as Augusto said you would have loved it yes, obviously we all know what motivates me I'm happy to be part of another thank you appreciate it, have a good day thank you we're here at Whistling Straits and we're joined by European captain Padre Harrington captain, I'm going to take the leap of faith and assume you've been out on the golf course the last few hours what are your initial impressions of what you're seeing out there and what your troops are experiencing and saying about the layout I came up here about eight weeks ago now had a look at the golf course so we knew what to expect it's in great condition it's set up reasonably generous off the tee and not that it's set up this way but the type of golf course it is it's very difficult at times around the green so nothing, it's exactly as expected it's exactly as we were aware obviously it's interesting playing a practice round at the moment knowing that the wind's going to change to a different direction at the weekend but these guys are professional players they know what to do they've been doing all their life so they can figure it out was there anything different that you remembered I've seen here that you remember when you played in PJ Championships here I've said I've been back a couple of times since then so not really no, I think there's a certain flow and style to the golf course and it doesn't matter whether you shorten the 11 and shorten the 1st or anything like that the golf course has its own feel and that's still there for sure very similar to 2015 let's begin evidently Steve would like to go number 22 where did you come up with the idea for the numbers video that is getting some buzz this has been done before in Europe certainly the lines were famous for starting it out and it was obviously when you're looking for these teams this is a theme that the European Tour came up with and I was very comfortable and happy to buy into it and believe in it and it's really worked out very nicely as you would have seen in the video but just looking at like we have a wall with the role of fame of who played and being able to look at those names and go through it 164 a heartily small amount of players obviously you can blame Lee West for that for playing 11 times like Sergio as well but it's a small group of people when you think 580 people have gone to space and 5,870 people have climbed Mount Everest it's incredible that there's so few who have played in the Ryder Cup it makes it very special for the players to know that they have a place in history they can never be taken away from them they will always have a name on that wall and it's for me myself I'm up there 121 so it's nice for me to look back and remember kind of remember the person I was as a Ryder Cup player and for these current players obviously they're experiencing it the three rookies it was extra special for them to be added in they had their moment to stand up and receive applause of everybody that they're new to this it was a lovely a lovely way to start the week we have more over on your right number 5 go ahead do you and Steve have any agreement or contingencies in place in case any player shows up with a Covid issue yes there is there's lots of protocols I assume the captain's agreement is public is it? just like an injury name in the envelope there's a Covid name in the envelope it's still why we've asked it's still not completely clear what happens when we have if god forbid we had a Covid outbreak but for one player it's pretty straightforward obviously the first two days it's four players sit out so there's no issues on those two days but obviously on Sunday you start losing a few players to Covid it does affect the match in some way but one is in a Covid envelope for sure we're going to go to 7 right behind them you mentioned the wind how strongly once the match starts you know we're all golfers somebody like myself who's been brought up traditionally in a windy lindsey store we like a bit of wind but we're not asking for it to be everybody blowing off the golf course so a little bit to test us what was there today was very nice but we're not I've got a group of great ball strikers I don't want them blowing off the golf course so I'm very comfortable what we saw today but not looking for anymore and I think my guys are good enough anyway if there was no wind as they're familiar playing golf around the world and the quality of their ball striking is right there so no we're not depending on a windy week at all right behind me Rex number 20 just to follow up on Ayman's question on Sunday if you had more than one player go down with either injury or Covid you're still not sure how that would be handled no there's an injury envelope there's a Covid envelope we haven't quite clarified exactly what the position is how many is too many with Covid now so there would be more than one player's name there's an injury envelope and there's a Covid envelope so that's two separate envelopes at this stage maybe the same name as the boat envelopes that's as far as I'm aware at this moment the other issue is actually quite a detail that complicated issue and is possibly above the pay grade at the two captains you know how many would be how many and this is why we have the Covid protocols it's not like it's an individual event whereas if you lost a player in an individual event well it's not great you don't want to be catching Covid but in a team environment you don't want a number of people catching Covid because it affects the actual the actual match so this is certainly something that I'm sure that is causing a lot of thought and a lot of time thinking about what would be too many and what would be sustainable but again it's not really for the captains it's more for the running of the event straight back again after 23 I was going to ask about how the practice went but on the Covid issue are you how do you decide who goes in that and is the person required to be in the envelope on site are they an assistant captain yeah well it's the exact same as an injury envelope the person who goes in the envelope the captain decides and nobody ever knows you know and we hope that stays away but we've had a few injury pullouts over the year so it would be just very similar to that no real difference in how it works as I said it is possible that you could have two different names I don't see why that would be the case but you could have somebody pull out with an injury you could have somebody with Covid so yeah you have to be prepared for these things and as I said it's been there all along so it's nothing really new it's obviously highlighted because of Covid but there's always been a name you know coming into this we were asked to be aware to you know having somebody as a reserve you know somebody as a backup who you would bring along and what happens if somebody pulls somebody pulls out because of Covid because you know it's something that could happen in these times on your left captain number 19 so Patrick you talked yesterday about Ceri Sergio was here this morning do you think Sergio with John Ram could have the same energy that was with Sevilla and Chema at some point and the same kind of success wouldn't I love that that would be yeah you know it's hard to believe that you could have the same energy as Sevilla and Jose over the years I think the biggest picture in our in the champions locker room is of Sevilla and Jose so yeah they're iconic when it comes to the Ryder Cup in Europe I wouldn't ask anybody to live up to that but if they came close it would be nice you know and certainly yeah that would be an interesting partnership that maybe I should think about thanks for the advice do you think it's an extra incentive for the European team to have guys playing together for their country not just for the team no I don't go in for that sort of stuff you know that was something that was done 30-40 years ago two guys from the same country they should play together no if they're the right partnership in terms of if they're game suit if they are at the right time in their careers you know when I started out I played with Paul McGinley in the World Cup and we won the World Cup very early on 1997 by 2001 we couldn't play together we were so bad as a partnership because the dynamic in 97 he was clearly the captain of that ship and I did everything I was told by 2000 and 2001 you know I had matured as a golfer and there was a little bit of friction about I think we should do it this way but then again we came good again in the Ryder Cup because things moved on so it's just not automatic just because you've got the same background same you know it can come down to the age profiles and the timing of their career whether they're a great partnership or not straight across here number four Michael thank you John Patrick you've been around Steve you've known Steve Stricker a long time can you cite something memorable you've seen him do and something memorable you've heard him say yeah clearly I've known Steve a long long time I think what's most memorable when you think of Steve is he's a nice guy but he's tough on the golf course you know you've got to remember what's behind that he's a perfect gentleman he's exactly how you will want a golfer somebody who goes out there plays his golf strong real tough out there but is very straight about it I think the fact that he came back from the driver yips in the late 90s you know that says everything about a person you know golf is a pretty tough game but when you know when you get a setback like that that really knocks you to become back and be a world-class player after that is a very impressive person and golfer again on your right number five Patrick Brooks Keppke recently in an interview made it sound like playing in the Ryder Cup is a bit of an inconvenience whereas Rory came in here and said that that we get along we play for each other do you have a theory on why it comes more naturally for the European side I think in Europe we definitely have a very common goal I alluded to this yesterday you know it's very much the Ryder Cup is our way of a certain Europe's position in world golf the European tourist position I think that was Seve's goal back in the 80s and we carried that on and I think that brings this together I think we obviously work very hard things like to make a count video and the numbers to create that atmosphere you know so it's still something that we want to do we're keen to do I think it also helps that some when we travel a lot you know from outside of Europe maybe just to the states or to other places there's somewhat of a you know we're outsiders and we're again trying to prove ourselves so I think there is an element of all of that putting together that we're here to you know give credibility as opposed to the European tour and the European players and we definitely have the we definitely have the ground the ground roots of Europe behind us you know everybody in Europe starting out the start of the year and the European tour believes to have a chance of making the team and you know that really is when you have that sort of support it's easier for the team to work together play together and to be honest as I said you know my team at the moment the atmosphere is exactly where you would want it literally I don't want to mess it up from here that's that's why I'm sort of at this position so yeah it's not just me though it's all our Ryder Cups all the past starting we tend to look back to Seve obviously it started before Seve but Seve is the one we will use all those teams gone before us has led to this situation and the players know how important it is to play in the Ryder Cup to play and win the Ryder Cup and how important it is to be they just love being a team too a lot of this might be an interesting one too a lot of the guys of my team a lot of the Europeans they seem to want to be team players Shane Larry thought he was going to be a Gaelic footballer, Sergio thought he was going to be a soccer player so a lot of them have that team background that they nearly crave so this is their opportunity for and like you look at somebody like Sergio he continually going around to the players and just having a quiet word and doing insane things behind like he just nobody relishes being in this team more than Sergio and what he does behind the scenes just is really very special Scott on number one Patrick you've leaned very heavily on the shoulders of some very experienced players that are the bulk of your team do you see young guys on this team that are being groomed to take over that role and who can naturally step into that when these other guys that you know have been doing it for so long are gone I do believe there is a nice natural succession in Europe the players I see in the middle of their careers now just slightly less in the middle of their careers they've got great role models in the experienced players and they see what they do and yeah I think Europe is in a very strong place going forward in terms of that there is a nice you know clearly we have the top end experience but there's a nice succession coming along players who are prepared who want to take responsibility and want to have that leadership role whether it's just in their four sums or four ball match or in a bigger situation in the whole team we're going straight across again number three without divulging any state secrets or specifics how many of your pairings decisions are locked by now or how many are based on what you kind of see and feel in the practice rounds this week some people play well in practice some people don't play well in practice you can't pick guys after three years and expect to practice rounds to determine what goes on on the Friday so no I'm not a great believer in judging people of a couple of relaxed days practice so no my picks are definitely based on the right partnerships what we would have had in mind but narrowed down now and as we've got here narrowed down even further I wouldn't think a lot is changing in my head and my vice captain's head between now and Friday now number eight Phil I was going to ask you something very similar podrack so this leads nicely into it can you think of therefore of an example as a player or in your experience as a player or vice captain where a pairing has come out of completely left field late on in the week? Oh plenty sure my first ride a cup at 99 I got told late Thursday that I was playing for some Miguel Angel Jimenez like and that really was it was an afterthought because Jose had Jose felt he wasn't playing well enough they were going to play the two Spanish together and Jose didn't feel like he was playing well enough for four some so I was thrown in there late so very you know and that really was late I said it was late Thursday Thursday afternoon not far off when the team was going in so there's been plenty of incidents like that over the years I don't think it happens as much now but clearly circumstances lots of things can happen in terms of circumstances so that's why the team she goes in Thursday evening just to allow for those changes but I think mine and vice captain's were pretty set at this stage and we have a fair idea of what we want and what we what role we want each player to play I can go back and look up the result but did you win we were pretty good I think we got a half point the first morning disappointing we were very tight match second day and lost but we were actually a good partnership yes but he did no he didn't actually he had the first tee shot which is always a very nice team I think we were both rookies too so that was an interesting one I think we're going to hit one more here number six probably Rory was in here earlier saying that he thought it has become progressively harder to win a road rider cup the stats may seem to bear him out I think 2004 was the last time a visiting team had a lead going into Sunday obviously Medina kind of flipped things around do you agree with what Rory said and if so what's the reason why is it getting harder I think obviously you've got the fans I think more to do with home set up is a big part of it clearly the home captain gets a choice on how the golf course is set up and he's going to do everything he can in that set up to get it to favour his players so I think that has a big effect on it to be honest just really the set up of the golf course and you know you can set a golf course up to be tougher you can set a golf course it's going to be loads of birdies as in any week on tour but the home captain gets to make that decision and I think it has a big influence I think if you are coming traditionally it would be tough to beat the US on their home style golf course and as we've done in Europe we've shown it's pretty damn hard to beat us if we're picking one of our courses that's naturally suited to our game so it really is picking the right venue and also then styling that golf course to suit your players follow up are the players that different now I mean the game is so global I would suggest not anymore they are merging much more into a you know much more so I think they're the best players in Europe are the same as the best players in the world are the same as the best players in the state so it's not like it's not as different but in 99 I had to be introduced or Payne Stewart introduced himself to me I'd never met him so you know and there was others in the team like that so that's not the case now players are very familiar nowadays and familiar games that have played all the conditions you know that can be presented but you know there's still a difference in terms of you know you could play as much links golf as you like but you never compete quite as well as somebody who was brought up playing that way so there is that natural element that's let's say natural it's that element that's been learned over a long time that is going to play into the hands of a home team per se captain thanks so much for your time today we'll look forward to speaking with you again tomorrow thank you