Ryder Cup review: how Luke Donald got the A, B, C's spot on - analytics, banter and culture

Europe’s convincing Ryder Cup victory in Rome was the culmination of months of detailed preparation

MORNING AFTER THE NIGHT BEFORE: Captain of the European Ryder Cup team, Luke Donald Monday morning in Rome.

IN those moments of sweet pandemonium after Tommy Fleetwood had sealed Europe’s Ryder Cup victory, it all got a little wild at the Marco Simone Country Club. The crowd on the 18th hole asked Rory McIlroy for a song. He responded by swinging his cap around his head like a battleax before leading a chant of “Raise your hands!” to the tune of the Cranberries’ Zombie. Then he sprinted 100 metres to bearhug Shane Lowry, even though his teammate was still playing. It was that sort of afternoon.

Before long thousands of fans were also breaking through the ring of steel around the final green to celebrate. At least three ended up falling in a bunker. Meanwhile, Luke Donald’s team were hugging and high-fiving, telling jokes and sinking bottles of beer and champagne.