Ryder Cup diary: Close encounters of the Hovland kind while Hatton envies McIlroy’s mane

Rory McIlroy of Team Europe during practice on the driving range at the Bethpage Black Course, Farmingdale, New York ahead of the 45th Ryder Cup. Pic: Mike Egerton/PA Wire.

Thursday morning turned into a European team speed dating session with the world’s press. Having spent the previous day getting in heavy practice across the Black course before the weather turned, there were fully eight of Luke Donald’s 12 left to do media duty.

From 8-9.45am Viktor Hovland, Robert MacIntyre, Matt Fitzpatrick, Rory McIlroy, Sepp Straka, Tyrrell Hatton and Jon Rahm were grilled in 15-minute bursts. So, grilled lightly.