Each and every player has a designated role in Europe’s locker room. Rory McIlroy, for example, is the boisterous one, the teaser. He has a comment for everyone. Rasmus Hojgaard, obviously, is Nicolai. He takes it with a smile. “Half the time Shane (Lowry) talks to me, he calls me Nicolai… then he says, oh no, sorry, Rasmus… I don’t mind at all, I understand,” says the Dane. It’s the Irish banter. Viktor Hovland is the one who starts talking about UFOs at any moment, according to Ludvig Aberg. “You never know where he’s going to go, it’s fun. I’m starting to get interested in the topic,” says the Swede. Justin Rose is the veteran leader. The one you’d always send to negotiate a truce. The Englishman accepts it but rebels…
“I try not to see myself that way, to be honest. Mainly because I’m still enthusiastic about my game and still want to be a contributing member in the best possible way, that is, by scoring points, and not just being here for the ‘wisdom’ and things like that,” he says. In other words, Rose hasn’t come to Bethpage to give advice, but to score points. He is very clear that it’s the only way to win the Ryder Cup. In this sense, he makes it clear that he’s not a ‘bore’. “There’s really no need for me to put my arm around anyone. I don’t want to cloud anyone’s judgment out there. But I also want to be open enough so that if anyone has a question, yes, please, come and ask me,” he notes.
Obviously, one of his main contributions in the Ryder Cup in Rome was the work he did as a veteran with Robert MacIntyre. They played two points together and didn’t lose. Afterwards, the Scot also won his singles. Rose is proud of that and shares what advice he always gives to rookies when they ask him. “In my opinion, the best way to lead is by being the best version of yourself. I like to lead by example. I believe what makes a Ryder pair great is mutual respect. The ability not to feel like you have to say ‘sorry’ to your partner; having enough comfort so that if things go wrong, there’s no moment of heads down or feeling like you’re letting each other down. That’s the line you can’t cross,” he states.
Precisely, speaking of rookies, Rasmus Hojgaard acknowledged today that his presence in Rome two years ago as a buggy driver for the team has been key to his much quicker and more comfortable integration. He’s a debutant, but a bit atypical. “The fact that my brother was here in Italy and shared so many things with me or the presence of Thomas (Bjorn) sharing his experience makes it easier.”
The young Dane knows that one of the most tense moments in a Ryder Cup is the first shot on the 1st tee. Certainly, he shows he’s prepared. “Never in my life have I been more nervous than this year at the British Masters when I was fighting to qualify for the team. I imagine it will be something similar. I know I’m going to be nervous, but at the same time, I’m clear that your first shot in a Ryder Cup, if you have the opportunity, only happens once in a lifetime, so I’m going to try to live it and enjoy it,” he concludes.
Returning to Rose, if anyone has any doubt that he will be the captain of Europe in Ireland, they only need to listen to Tommy Fleetwood: “I’ve always been very close to Justin and admired him for how he conducts himself and understands his game. He’s much about leading by example. He doesn’t need to raise his voice or be the motivating force in that sense. He’s there, he has a lot of wisdom and leads by example in how he prepares and conducts himself on the field. I feel fortunate to have spent so much time with him and learned so much being close to how he does things. I don’t think he’s going anywhere soon.” Clear as day.
