Ryder Cup: Luke Donald and Zach Johnson press conference
Europe’s Ryder Cup rookies could find themself staring at their own vomit before they reach the first tee on Friday, according to Thomas Bjorn. The European vice-captain knows what it takes to get the job done in the biannual team match-play event after he skippered the hosts to a 17.5-10.5 victory against the USA at France’s Le Golf National in 2018.
But this time Luke Donald has no fewer than four first-timers in his ranks. Qualifier Robert McIntyre is joined by wildcard picks Sepp Strakka, Nicolai Hojgaard and Ludvig Aberg who will all be making their Ryder Cup debuts.
The inclusion of Aberg is the most intriguing, given that the Swede only turned professional three months ago and hasn’t even competed in a Major yet. But despite a third of the European team having no previous experience, Bjorn insists that the quartet just need to keep doing what got them into the team in the first place.
Speaking to Betway, he said: “When you talk to rookies, you assure them that they don’t need to change anything and that they’re here for a reason.
“There’s no need to do anything different. Just go out, stay close to your partner, and play your best stuff. We’ve always had that – I’ve played with some amazing partners. They give you so much experience and trust, and you’re confident that your partner won’t let you down. That’s what we’re trying to do.
“The first Ryder Cup is tough for any player, the first time you walk down there you just want to throw up and you have so many thoughts going through your head. We believe that these guys are capable. They have the ability to raise their game. We believe that all of our players will do that.”
The USA has not won a Ryder Cup on European soil in 30 years, but arrive as the holders and slight favourites following their crushing 19-9 victory at Whistling Straits two years ago.
Europe does however have three of the top four players in the world in their ranks in the form of Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm and Viktor Hovland and Bjorn believes that Major winners McIlroy and Rahm will play the role of leaders at this years event.
Bjorn said: “This team has leaders in their own ways as Jon and Rory are different people with different characters. They’re both amazing with the young guys – their doors are always open. They do, however, need to focus on their own game and balance things out. The senior players need to do a bit of both. That’s what it means to be a leader.
“There’s a space for these players to be the leaders. We’ve had so many players with so many Ryder Cups in the past. But for these young guys who are hugely successful individuals, it gives them the space to now.
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“I think the senior players will relish the chance to stand up and be the leaders and the constants in the European Ryder Cup teams.”
Speaking about rising star Aberg he added: “If you’re good enough, you play. It’s that simple. Ludvig’s talent and mindset are all developing extremely quickly. He’s not phased at all. He’s very calm in conversation.
“He doesn’t have any arrogance about him whatsoever. We believe in him because we see things that aren’t often seen in players. The public hasn’t seen the standout golf he’s capable of playing.
“Both Luke and I think we have somebody who, if we nurture right, can be a star. There’ll be bumps in the road, but that’s ok. We are not scared of putting him into the first team.”
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