It was at the 2002 Ryder Cup at The Belfry when American players mingled outside the team bus.

European captain Paul McGinley looked to have settled on a number of his pairings on the final day of practice for the 40th Ryder Cup at Gleneagles.

Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell displayed all the signs of being star-struck by Team Europe’s evening with Alex Ferguson, but not so much as to ignore the potential benefits for this weekend’s Ryder Cup defence.

WHILE it is impossible to be bored by the playing of the Ryder Cup, it is possible to sleep through the lead-in days.

You don’t need to travel through Ireland to get to Scotland. But that only begs the question: Why wouldn’t you?

Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley has blown the debate over Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell playing together wide open by saying there are not an unbeatable pairing.

European captain Paul McGinley insists Rory McIlroy will be fresh and raring to go when the 40th Ryder Cup gets under way at Gleneagles on Friday, but hinted that Graeme McDowell may not be alongside him when it does.

Rory McIlroy is ready to step up and take a Ryder Cup leadership role for Europe at Gleneagles this September that befits his elevated status in the game.

Europe captain Paul McGinley has warned Ian Poulter he is not guaranteed a place in the side at Gleneagles next year, despite likening his Ryder Cup heroics to Liverpool’s Champions League final comeback against AC Milan.

Europe captain Paul McGinley has warned Ian Poulter that he is not guaranteed a place in the side at Gleneagles next year, despite likening his Ryder Cup heroics to Liverpool’s Champions League final comeback against AC Milan.