Not every star can be a hero this week. But everyone must carry a load

As a sporting spectacle, the Ryder Cup has the capacity to reach the dramatic pitch of All-Ireland finals, a World Cup, the Six Nations Championship, the Super Bowl, and the NBA finals.

All are terrific events and ridiculously watchable. All, represent the very pinnacle of their respective sports but none, in my mind, consistently attain the compelling heights we savour in this biennial golf spectacular.

For a sport dominated by personal and individual performances, the Ryder Cup provides an unusual golfing spectacle — a format where nationalistic pride, effort and a team performance are the key ingredients.