LIVE | Press Conference | European Team | Sep 24 | 2025 Ryder Cup

Watch the European Team’s press conference as they prepare for the 2025 Ryder Cup.
Tommy Fleetwood, Rasmus Højgaard, Justin Rose and Ludvig Åberg take the stage on Wednesday morning to share their thoughts ahead of the 45th Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black.

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The 2025 Ryder Cup is the 45th edition and runs between September 25 – September 28. Luke Donald is the European Team Captain and Keegan Bradley is the U.S. Team Captain. The European Team are the reigning champion after winning 16 ½ – 11 ½ at Marco Simone in 2023. Every two years, 24 of the best players from Europe and the United States go head-to-head in match play competition. Drama, tension, incredible golf, camaraderie and sportsmanship are served in equal measure, captivating an audience of millions around the world. It’s an event that transcends sport, yet remains true to the spirit of its founder, Samuel Ryder.

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tell me. Um, one thing that statistically seems really important is like when a player gets an early lead in a match, like wins the first hole or one of the first three holes and something you’ve been really good at. Just wondering like how do you get good how do you get good at that? How do you like do you practice? Do you try to be more aggressive on early holes for instance or does that work? That’s a good question. I think uh yeah I think definitely Luke at the last rider Cup in Rome um I think did a really good job of uh drilling that into us. I it goes both ways, right? Like statistically um fast starts are obviously an advantage, but if you go one down two three, you don’t want to be start thinking, well, you know, odds are stacked against me. So, it does go both ways. But I think um yeah, I Luke was the one uh that pointed out first definitely in Rome and uh made us aware of that. I think we do we have been aware and practiced that as a team but I think uh yeah you you just it’s not something that I that we really focus on when you’re stood on the first te cuz like I said you don’t want to be in a position where you know you lose a couple of holes early on and you’re like well you know we wanted to get a fast start and now we’re down. So um I think we’ve practiced it as a team over the last few years and uh we’ve added a bit more focus to it. Um and I I think it’s probably one of those things that’s just happened to go our way rather than us being really really you know strict and focused about it but um yeah I hope it continues really fast starts are good right here on three Tommy there are concerns among some quarters this week that the crowd could go from rowdy maybe even to hostile. How comfortable do you think the families of the European team feel about coming onto the course and are they planning to follow you around as usual? Well, I I I think first and foremost, I I think the um I mean, for us this week, it’s an away crowd, but I do say that the home crowd are a big part of what makes the Radic Cup so special and so unique to us. We don’t um as individuals, you obviously don’t get to play in a in front of a a home or team atmosphere, if you like. um it’s always kind of crowd supporting the individuals, but um I I I think that energy, that passion, um and that home team environment is something that plays such a big part in the RDER Cup. And I think you have to um you have to embrace that um enjoy it um and and look forward to it um even even when you’re the OA team. So kind of looking forward to that. And I I think we’ve all discussed um as a team and and that and and who feels comfortable, how the family would feel comfortable, what they want to do. Um I don’t necessarily think that’s part of uh you know, the away crowd is is like a reason for that either. It’s just you know, do they do they want to be out there and um and support? Do they want to spend the whole 18 holes? Do they want to follow someone else? It’s all it’s not just when the families are here. It’s it’s not just the families aren’t just here for you. we’re all part of team Europe and uh whatever that involves and whoever that involves supporting out there um that could be very very different. So uh I think it’s something that we’ve all discussed and it’s it’s one of those things you know it’ll be very fluid um throughout the week but um I’m sure it’s all going to be great up to 13. Hi Tommy. Um you got a great record in this event. What what is it that makes a great partnership in Ryder Cup? Is it is it more to do with the goal, more to do with personalities jelling? And and if you’re playing with Rory this week in terms of we’re talking about hostility, he always seems to be maybe the public target number one, I guess. Are you okay? Are you okay with dealing with that? Yeah. Um good partnerships. I think uh the last few years um statistics have played a big role in that. I think um the game has gone uh more in that direction and I think um there’s definitely uh statistically partnerships that can suit each other very very well. Um of course you need to have um especially in Forsoms you need to have some kind of like uh emotional connection if you like. You need to um be close and get on but that has never been um anything that we’ve needed to worry about in team Europe. That’s for sure. I think we’ve always been very blessed and very lucky with um like the how close our team is and how close our team becomes. Um like individually good partnership like get a good partner that always helps. That’s a that’s a good way of um having a good partnership. But um and um yeah, as a as a Rory um I think whoever he gets to, you know, whoever gets to play with Rory this week, um like what a privilege, what a what an amazing thing to be able to do to stand next to him on the golf course and play alongside him. He’s um one, if not the greatest player of our generation. Um, and uh, yeah, like the energy that I think he that he has that he brings to your team, that he brings to the RDER Cup, I I think is is amazing. I think it’s great. And, um, you know, if if I’m one or one of them that gets the chance to play against him, I I will love that opportunity and I’ll be there to uh, you know, whatever energy he decides to bring, I’ll you know, I’ll be there to uh, support him and be a good uh, be a good part of him. Over to 14. Hey Tommy, how much did what happened at Whistling Straits uh play into your preparation and motivation for Rome? And do you believe the US might have a little chip on their shoulders because of what happened in Rome? Yeah, I think absolutely when you’ve lost a Radic Cup um like for us 100% of whistling Straits. I mean we took a I mean there’s no other way of putting it. We took a hammer in. uh we didn’t I I f I think all of us that were on that team didn’t feel like we did ourselves justice in the way that we played um and never really uh never really gave ourselves a chance. We were behind from the get-go there and um and we lost that one. But I remember on the plane home uh so that was you know the day after we were all as a as a team we were all looking you know we’re all thinking what are we going to do now? You know there’s two years to go. First of all, we all want to start working to get the chance to have a to have a go at it again. Um, and sort of avenge ourselves in that way. Uh, but then, you know, looking at the process of what can we do more? What can, uh, team Europe do or add that can give us a better chance in Rome? And I I think when you’ve lost one, yeah, of course, you have a chip on your shoulder. Like, you have that you have that feeling of hurt. Um, I think one of the most motivating things you can have is watching the other team celebrate when you know you’ve you’ve lost. and no matter how great of a time like some of my best memories in the game were from Whistling Straits like you know we got hammered on the golf course but um as a as a team and how close you become and and the moments that we that we drew on that week are still some of my best memories in the game um but also that hurt and and watching those guys celebrate when you know you know you didn’t feel like you didn’t do yourselves justice I think is one of the most motivating things you can have and um it came to Rome uh you know and a and a sort of I guess it was a very new look of a team um and a and a and a home crowd home advantage and uh we took that so like actually you know winning that one was was really really satisfying and of course uh you know the the American team will have similar sort of feelings they’ll have been hurt from last time and and they’ll come here and want to win and be at home and want to win in front of their home crowd so and and that’s just as it should be. Let’s go back to back up there on 20. Tommy, it’s a strange scenario this week in the practice rounds, you’re encouraged to engage with the fans and then when the the event starts, not engage with the fans. How important is that first part? Well, yeah, every everybody was uh was amazing yesterday and um like I say, look, the the the sort of job of the home crowd is to support the home team. And uh you you wouldn’t hold anything against anybody in in that way, but yesterday they were amazing. They were very supportive of us. It’s and it’s important. The RDER Cup is for us as golfers, it’s the biggest showcase of the sport that we get. It comes along every two years. Um and uh all of those I I look back at my uh you know, my favorite Ryder Cup moments and shots that I might have hit or you look back down the years, crowds, you know, without the crowds that it’s not quite the same. It just doesn’t feel the same and and they’re such they’re such a huge part of that. So, um to engage with them here is really important. It’s great. It’s it’s great to soak up that that atmosphere whether it’s home or away. Um and like I say, they were all amazing yesterday. I uh I loved um interacting with them. I love signing stuff, you know, seeing the kids and and all of that. I I thought that was great. And yeah, it’s it’s it’s it’s different when it’s when it’s go time. Like when it’s time when it’s time to play. I think that’s like every other tournament is that this one’s hyped up, you know, when it’s time to play. Um, I’ve always felt like I I I really just want to focus on my game, focus on each shot, try and get into my bubble as much as possible, especially when I’m, you know, coming in to play my shots and and that and and that’s kind of no different in the RDER Cup except it’s just an extreme atmosphere. It’s the most extreme atmosphere that we get, but crowd is such a huge part of the RD Cup. Uh, hi Tommy. Kind of following up on that really, but and I appreciate you won’t be able to fully um see what it’s like until Friday morning, but just wonder about the first te. Does it kind of feel daunting and intimidating by looking at the the setup there with the stand? I mean it’s not quite the horseshoe, is it? I don’t think of Rome and W. No, I mean it’s it’s it’s pretty big. Um, and uh, the way it’s set up, it’s it’s it’s a little bit further back than um, than what we’ve had uh, over the last few years, but still um, still the first cup and it’s still uh, and we’ll still come away from this week with stories of first team nerves and things like that and something that you got to embrace and um, yeah, the noise for sure. I I think from the, you know, the the grand stand that goes around the back to the lining of the fairway on the first, I think it’s um, it’s a really really cool scene. Um, and yeah, like you know, nothing sort of no matter what you do, nothing prepares you for a Friday morning on the first theater. Let’s do two more. Let’s go Doug and then over to Mike too, please. Tommy, can you speak a little bit to to the old man on the team, Justin Rose, and and in the context of this is your fourth team and and and how different each one has been and how similar they are. Um, yeah. So, I think I’ll probably answer on the teams first, but I yeah, I remember making my first team in Paris and uh I think when you when you look back uh there was a few of us, I think me, John, Tier, Alex, Norin, that the guys that are here this week, that was our debut in the RDER Cup. And and we definitely came into a team that was full of um I would say this era was like team Europe was Ryder Cup legends. Um, so that so that was uh that was very cool and you look back and and you look at that one and then as you seen like Europe take a transition over the last two or three years into what the team um has now become and and that always happens like it just things transition and and now we’ve got this this group of players but that was I think uh Paris and Whistling Straits was very much you know those guys that have been stalwarts of team Europe for a long time that have had so much success that had so much experience um you know being part of those teams was amazing and you had those uh natural leaders in the room. Uh and then and then to Rome and this one. Uh I guess it’s kind of a a little bit changing of the guard in terms of experience, but I I think um the team now is more um I think everybody’s um a bit more on a level playing field and and you have your guys that are, you know, Rory, I mean, as if he’s playing an eighth rider cup. I mean, it’s it’s unbelievable. And then and then there’s Justin. And I I think you look at those personalities. And Justin’s always been uh Justin’s always been someone I’ve been close to and looked up to in in the way he conducts himself and the way he goes about his game. He’s uh he’s very much a leadership by example person. He doesn’t need to uh he doesn’t need to, you know, raise his voice or speak loudly or be, you know, that uh motivating force in terms of that. He just he’s there. He has plenty of words of wisdom. Um, and he leads by example in how he prepares himself and how he conducts himself on the golf course. And, um, yeah, I feel lucky that I’ve, you know, been able to spend so much time with him and learn so much from being around him in terms of how he does things and, um, and yeah, he, uh, he isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, I don’t think. Who’s the noisiest guy on your team? Noisiest? Well, there there’s there’s a few of them. Um, you know, I’ll probably give Rory that mantle piece. Go ahead. Hi Tommy. Good morning over here. Sorry. Um I guess that golf can sometimes be quite a lonely sport. So I wanted to ask you about the level of comfort that you get this week as a player from knowing that really no matter what happens, you’re going to have 11 others uh standing by you as a team and what that changes in your approach to the to the whole game. Yeah, I I think um being part of a team um is is really beautiful. It’s something that we don’t get to do uh week in week out and especially something like this where there’s so much uh you know there’s so much history about the Ryder Cup and I I think um being part of team Europe always been made so aware of the legacy that that is team Europe. Um you know we’re we’re sort of carrying that right now but you know there’s a time when we won’t be playing and there’ll be plenty others that come after us. There’s plenty that have been before us. Um, and I think it’s such a privilege and a luxury that we get to do that all together. Um, and yeah, like the team being with the 11 other players, the vice captains, the captain, the backroom staff. Um, having that support network, um, having those guys that make you want to be the best version of yourself. I mean, when you’re playing when you’re playing individually and you turn up in a, you know, crappy mood on the day, you just don’t have to speak to anyone. You just like get on with it. And uh but I think um every every day when you turn up as part of team Europe, it you know drives you to be the absolute best version of yourself. And uh whether you’re playing well, whether you’re playing bad, uh you know, whether you’re feeling tired, whether you’re feeling great, you just um you do what is best for the team and you try and give your all. And I think um it just brings out the best in all of us. Thanks for your time, Tommy. We appreciate it. Thank you. Thanks, Ludvig Oberg joins us now at the 2025 Ryder Cup. Ludvig, welcome to your second Ryder Cup. We’ll go ahead and get started with questions. Go ahead, Luke. Hey, Luke Vic. Um curious where you fall on the like what’s your general giving putts strategy? Are you a nice guy? Are you tough? Like where do you kind of land in this spectrum? I think it’s uh it depends on the situation. It depends on where you are in the match. Uh if you’re early, if you’re late, um what the score line looks like. Um I think in general I like to be on the conservative side of, you know, you want to win matches by making birdies. You want to be aggressive. You want to make uh putts to win matches. So that’s the way I view it, but it’s definitely going to be, you know, based on where the match is, what the score line is, and what the situation calls for. Where where’s the kind of general circle of trust for you? Like 3 feet. Um, yeah, I haven’t I think it depends too, you know, if it’s a downhill slider, if it’s an uphill straight, I think that’s a little different, too. But, uh, yeah, you know, if we’re playing at home with our buddies, it might be a little bit different from playing a Ryder Cup in New York. Um, but uh I’m looking forward to it. It’s going to be awesome. It’s going to be really cool. Doug L, what what kind of an adjustment was that last time going going college individual team setting and and do you feel more prepared or any different this time around? Uh, yeah, I definitely feel more prepared. I think last time two years ago, it was such a whirlwind for me. um I think it was about three three months since I turned pro and and I was sitting in Rome with those guys. So that was definitely a quick turnaround for me and over the last two years I’ve had experiences since that that’s really helped me and um although I still look back at Rome um with a big smile and with you know a lot of cool experiences that I’ve had um leading up to that event. So, I think I do feel I kind of know a little bit more what to expect with a team room and um makes things a little bit easier, but it’s definitely going to be a different challenge here this year. Um but some something that we’re we’re really looking forward to. And do you take any sense of pride in being probably the last guy whose golf made Scotty cry? Uh it’s not something I think about. You know, it’s uh obviously that day it was it was somewhat of a freak result and and something that we didn’t quite expect, but uh it was a cool experience that me and Victor had and um it’s uh it’s it was it was a cool thing to do. Yeah. Up to 12. Yeah. Hi, Ludvik. I was going to ask you a similar thing that that Saturday morning when you’ve already achieved a lot in your career. How does that Saturday that nine and seven win rank in what you’ve achieved so far? And what’s your biggest memory of that morning? Uh yeah, I think the biggest thing that I take away from those couple days and maybe especially that morning was just the the val the validation for myself and and you know that I’m able to do that because obviously before I played in Rome, I hadn’t even met those guys. I haven’t I’ve never shaken those their hands and I’d never have a conversation with them. So for me to get there and to bring out a result like that was was a big deal for me personally to know that I’m able to beat those guys at times. I’m able to compete and and um play good golf against them. So that’s the biggest thing that I take away. Um and I had a really good partner that day which always helps. So uh but it was a it was a cool experience and probably something that I I won’t forget. Just follow up on that. makes you and Victor why did it work so well? Is it as well as the golf? Is that something? And are you available to play with him again this week? Uh yeah, I mean we’re we’re good friends. Uh we speak the same language. We we have we come from a very similar background. Obviously he grew up in Norway and Sweden are are very close in terms of the cultural uh environment and uh and yeah, we we get along. He’s a he’s a funny guy to have funny conversations with. Um it can go in any direction that you don’t really expect. And um it’s uh you know we had a good time in Rome and we’ve played multiple practice rounds since and uh our caddies get along great too. So it’s a it’s a good uh good friend to have on tour and and uh in the team room here. Just on one more what’s the wackiest thing he come he comes out with this week. Can you think of an example? Um well yeah he he’s always into sort of the the the UFO deals and and all those things. So it’s quite interesting. I’m not quite down that road just yet. You know, if I hang out with him long enough, I might be, but um you know, again, you never really know where it’s going to go, which is quite interesting. Up to Martin. Ludvig Luke Donald’s talked about needing a different plan from Rome to win an away rider cup. From a players perspective, do you sense that is the case? Uh yeah, I think so. I think you’d be naive to think it it’s going to be the same. Um, I think the challenge, obviously, there’s challenges with playing at home, but you know, the bigger challenges are going to be away. Um, I think for me, I was fortunate enough to have a really good experience in Rome and that being my first one. Um, but I think this one’s going to be a little bit different. Um, obviously the the whole environment, the whole situation calls for different preparation. And I think Luke has done a tremendous job, Luke and his whole team, of um making us aware of that and making us excited about what’s to come. And um yeah, it’s just a we have an opportunity to do something really special and I think we’re all we have 12 guys who are really excited about that. Over to Mike Five, please. Ludvig, uh yesterday you guys got out there for the first time in front of the fans, in front of the crowd. So much has been made about them. I’m just curious what that experience was like for the first time and if you heard any of the chirping that you guys are anticipating over the next couple days when the tournament starts. Uh yeah, it was great. It was awesome. It was uh it’s such a cool iconic place, right, Beth Page? And um it’s it’s that passion that the Ryder Cup brings out that you don’t ne necessarily see in a normal tournament. So that’s why we all love it. That’s why we all think it’s the best tournament in the world. And um you know, we’re all looking forward to a a good couple of weeks or couple of days and good challenging couple of days. But it’s a it’s a cool environment to play golf in and I feel very very fortunate to uh to be walking those fairways. Did you did you feel any of that? I I should say. Did you hear any chirps? Did you kind of get a sense of the crowd trying to get on your skin already? Yeah, you know, there’s always going to be a little bit of chirping going on. I think that’s a part of it’s a part of sports. It’s a part of athletics and um that’s what makes it fun. That’s what brings out these tournaments and that’s what we all love it. Um, so yeah, you’re going to be hearing a lot of things which is uh which is a part of it. I think we’ll wrap things up right here on mic 7. Yeah, I’ll do Swedish then. Yeah. for virtual reality. [Music] going for team [Music] and [Music] Mama, papa, yeah. Mama, papa, sister. [Music] back. Let’s do one more quick one right here on four. Yep. Yeah. Ludwick, same 12 surnames as a couple of years ago. You’re all just a couple of years older, but in what way is the team different to uh two years ago? And if it’s stronger, in what way is it stronger? Uh yeah, it’s cool. Well, I think it’s it’s very unique that we have so many guys coming back and um it’s it’s a very hard thing to do because basically you have your same 12 guys performing at a really or 11 uh at a really high level over a long period of time. And um I think the team is very strong. We have some really good good players, good personalities, uh lots of experience, obviously a more experienced team now than we were at two years ago. um especially with the rookies that we had last time that are no longer rookies and Rasmus who didn’t play last time but he was in the team room and he got to experience the whole uh setting of being a part of the team and um I’m I’m really excited about him and what he can do this week. So, um yeah, I think we’re we’re we’re 12 really excited guys who just wants to go out and play good golf and uh have fun in our matches. Thanks for your time. We appreciate it. All right. Thank you. Rasmus Hogar is with us now at the 2025 RDER Cup. Rasmus, welcome to your first RDER Cup. Thank you. We’ll go ahead and jump right into questions. Martin, go ahead. Raasmus, obviously the the only change from Rome. How easy has it been settling into the team and how helpful was your presence at Rome? It’s been it’s been pretty easy to get into the team. Uh I’ve been called an equal pretty much half the time by everyone, but um you know, I think the Rome experience made it uh you know, easier for me to to to get to know the guys a little bit better. So uh yeah, it’s been uh it’s been good fun so far. Stay on Mike 20. Hey Razos back here. Um just wanted if you can tell us like you know how are you your own man? You know you’re not you’re not your brother. What do you bring to the team differently? That’s a good um I don’t know it’s um I think obviously Nicola and I are are very similar so there won’t be a lot of change in the team room but uh yeah I think you know the experience of Rome I was there I think as important it was for me to get to know the guys I think it was important for them to get you know to learn more about for them to learn more about me as well so it’s uh yeah I don’t think it’s going be a big change for them. Over to Mike Five. Raasmus. Um, you have Thomas here and and he’s been part of you growing up and becoming a a great player. What does it mean for you to have Thomas here this week as well? Uh, it’s very it’s very special. Um, I’ve got a great rel relationship with with Thomas. He’s been he’s been around us for for some years now. So, uh, yeah, it’s a it’s a good support to have, uh, close to me this week. Five, just, uh, you guys had the first opportunity to be out there on the course with fans in attendance. So much made about the crowd coming into this. I’m just curious what that experience was like with them there uh, yesterday. And did you guys hear some of that chirping? Did it did you kind of start to feel the energy that’s expected to be here when the when the event starts later this week? I think yesterday was uh was a very good day. I uh I thought the crowds were great. Um got good support. Um so yeah, it’s been uh so far has been great. Uh we know that there’s going to be some situations out there, but I think we’re all um very much prepared for it, but uh it was definitely definitely a very good start. Over to Mike 6. Have you been trying to pick the brain of some of the obviously 11 of these guys were there last time, but maybe some of the older veterans on the team to try and figure out what your first RDER Cup is really going to represent? Yeah, it’s I’ve spoken to Thomas quite a bit. Uh but yeah, there’s some very experienced guys in the team. So, I think just being around him gives you a sense of calmness and uh yeah, it’s um it’s again I played it the last time. Um, so yeah, there’s been some good some good stuff in there that I can try and and use in my in my advantage. Adam, did you uh use the virtual reality goggles? And if so, what do you how do you how did they help you prepare for this week? Yeah, I tried them on. I thought it was it was a fun idea. Um, yeah, it was it gave us a picture of how the whole first te looked like, which I thought was was quite fun. So yeah, it was a a fun little gimmick from from the team. And and when did playing in a Ryder Cup become a dream of yours? Uh back in 2012 when uh that was that was the first RDER Cup I really watched on the TV. Um so yeah, that was when my Ryder Cup dream started. Can you give one quick example of what you learned from being at the Ryder Cup in 23 being part of the team? Well, I think um just to see how everything runs, how how the days are built, how you know how the team room um function. So, it’s it’s as a whole it was nice to see how all the days you know just goes by, how how they all prepare together and and what what um you know what’s going to happen during during the tournament days as well. Paul in 11. Rasmus wondering when you think the most nervous you’ve ever been on the golf course. Say it again. When’s the most nervous you’ve ever been on the golf course? It was probably at Belfrey this year, I think, uh when I was trying to qualify for the for the team. So, yeah, that that was probably when I was the most nervous. are you doing anything or kind of any mental preparations about how you might feel first te as matches are going and kind of how you want to try to handle that? I think I’m going to feel some sense of what I did at the ble there uh trying to qualify there. So I’m pretty sure the first te is going to be my most nervous moment but again I try to look at it in a way that I only get to try you know the first rider cup t-shirt once in my life. So trying to embrace that in a way. Uh it sounds like a cliche but uh that’s going to be my approach and then see how it goes. Over to 12. Yeah. Hi Rasmos. Given that you were involved in Rome two years ago, is there anything this year that has surprised you? Not really. I um it’s obviously it’s pretty much the same team. they only had to change one um initial in on on the name. So uh no, I think I think everyone is still very much uh on the same page. I think I um I kind of fell into the group in a very smooth way. So so far nothing’s really surprised me. I think just one followup. Did you know who John Franco Zola is? You’re a big football fan. I I do know who he is. Yeah. And which is your football team by the way in England? Um, I know Thomas laughing here, but it’s Man United. I’m sorry. Doug, Rasma, was different. Obviously, over here to your left, different kind of noise at these Rder Cup matches, but I’d be curious, uh, when’s the first time you experienced big noise at a golf tournament and and what was that like? I think first time for me must have been playing um the PGA Championship for the first time over here. Um where was that? Do you remember? Yeah, it’s four four years ago. Can’t remember what it was, but um I think that was the first time I really, you know, big crowds, a lot of noise and with all of that, you know, going around. What did it do for you? I thought it was quite exciting in a way. um you know something that I I hadn’t tried before. So I you know it’s it’s it’s something that I you know have to deal with better and better if I if I want to achieve what I want to achieve in golf. So I thought it was super exciting to to try that and then obviously spend more and more time over here now and get more of a sense of what what it’s like. John Rasmus, you had uh obviously an experience of Luke in Rome and now you’ve got a greater experience of him. How has he changed? How is Luke Donald captaincy in 25 different from the captaincy in 23? Here’s the thing. I I wasn’t that much in the team room. I wasn’t that much involved with how Luke dealt with the team. I was uh a little bit more back in the in the in the staff. So, it’s for me it’s it’s it’s hard to really answer that. Um, you know, this this time he’s been great. He’s been he’s been out early, you know, um, speaking to everyone who had a chance to to be on the team and and made everyone feel welcome. So, um, how he was as a captain in Rome, it’s hard for me to really answer because I wasn’t that close to the team. Um, but this time he certainly has us well prepared. We thought you were in the team room. Well, I kind kind of, but I wasn’t in the team meetings. I wasn’t in all of that because I wasn’t a player. I was uh I was driving buggies that week, so I wasn’t really involved with the team. And that was, you know, also a a decision for me is I’m I’m not a player, so I shouldn’t be in with everyone else. Mike Tube, uh Rasmos, you you met over here. Uh you mentioned that you’re still uh being called Nicolai once again. Uh where does that happen most times? Out there with the fans or or uh in general interactions or do you do your teammates give you uh those names? Uh it happens all the time. It’s uh even like for example Shane Shane sometimes just calls me Nick with and then he’s like oh it’s Brasmos is here. So it’s it’s it’s all right. It’s uh it is what it is. I’m I’m I’m used to it. I’ve been used to it for 20 years now. So, uh yeah, it doesn’t really bother me. Are there any particular good um stories where you got confused the two of you? We had a um we’ve never done any anything crazy as such, but we had in school um I’m going to say back in the day, it sounds very, but um we changed classes and the teacher wouldn’t notice for an hour and a half. Um, we did that a few times just to everyone in in in the class would would would know that we’ve obviously changed, but um, yeah, the teacher wouldn’t know. So, we’ll wrap it up one more over on five. Press, you said 13 years ago, you started dreaming about this. How is it to sit at that podium to have been out there these days and looking forward to Friday? Yeah, it’s it’s very special. It’s uh yeah, it’s it’s it’s fun to think that uh 2012 was my that’s where the the the dream started and then yeah, I’m here now. So, I’m I’m very happy that I can uh live out my Rder Cup dream. Great. Thanks for your time, Rasmus. We appreciate it. All right. Thank you. Nice email. Hey, hello. Hello, Justin. We’re joined now by Justin Rose at the 2025 RDER Cup. Justin, welcome to your seventh RDER Cup. We’ll go ahead and jump right into questions. Starting up there with Martin. Justin, the team clothing this week’s been a nod to past European wins on American soil. Having been a member of one of those teams, how does that feel personally? And how different is the atmosphere going to be here compared to Chicago? Yeah, great question. I mean obviously yeah we’re trying to definitely harness those those good uh positive memories from you know team Europe over the years and I think in practice we wore you know the 87 shirt and then um obviously yeah the 2012 shirts that sort of deep purple which obviously I had the privilege of wearing at Madina which was obviously an amazing week. Um it was a pretty tough week as well for for two two full days pretty much until the very end of Saturday as we all know and then clearly Sunday turned it around. But um yeah, Chicago crowd was was an intense um arena to play in. Um very difficult. I think um you know, you began to understand how important momentum is really with you know with any with any match you know that has a home and an away crowd you know. So I think that really activates uh the the sort of the intensity and and and the environment out there. So you know, you don’t want to compare anything to New York, but I think Chicago was also a yeah, a big crowd. I mean, I think the the scale of the Ryder Cup seems to have really kind of kicked on massively in the last decade. So I feel like each occasion is getting more and more intense. So which is a lot of fun obviously. And I think this one we don’t really know. It’s obviously going to ramp up. You know, obviously we were here for two days. It was very quiet. Had the course to ourselves. Um yesterday playing with fans in was a was a good step up in gear. Obviously today with the opening ceremony being moved forward, it’s going to be another feeling of okay, we’re getting closer to the start line here and obviously it’s all going to start to feel very real and the intensity of it is going to grow and grow as the week goes on. So don’t know how to compare it to to to Madina just yet other than Madina was intense. Hey Justin, back here. Justin, sorry, where am I at? Oh, yeah. Sorry, mate. We’ve heard a bit about you guys wearing the VR headsets during practice. I wonder if you can tell us a little bit about your experience of them. Do you think it was beneficial and what was the worst sledge you got? Um, yeah, listen, um, I think the VR headsets have been a thing, but for me personally, it was a great idea and I wouldn’t say I’ve spent more than 5 minutes using them if I’m honest. Um, I think it was really, really interesting to put them on and get the feeling of what it was going to look like. Um, obviously with the 18th and the wraparound and the first and the stands and, you know, how the how a full Beth Page could look and feel. Um, and I, you know, I had more fun showing my family, you know, some people who weren’t going to be here, my son, my daughter, my mom, you know, like this is what the first tea is going to feel like. So, uh, that that was really cool from that point of view. I, you know, obviously it’s it’s it’s VR. Um, and yeah, there was the overlaying of just the US chants and things like that. So worth doing for sure, but um you know a soft uh a soft serving of it. Let’s put it that way. And on seven. Yeah. How are you? Hey, can you talk about Luke Donald’s leadership qualities and does one emerge as a leader or are you born with that as a leader yourself? So what was the second half of the question? Excuse me. Does one emerge as a leader or do you think a leader is born with those qualities? Yeah, I think that’s a great great question. And I think Luke um you know he’s always been um more on the introverted side throughout his career and very much focused on his own game and um you know quiet and go about his business. And I think Luke has really emerged as a leader over the last couple of years. And I think he’s really invested in himself as a leader and I think he’s invest I think he’s grown tremendously as a as a as a as a human, right? I think um he’s probably learned so much through this process and you know I’m I’m I’m blown away by the work ethic that he’s given this captaincy cycle. Um both of them you know he came into it in Rome maybe six months behind where he would have been otherwise. Um made up for it amazingly. I think his communication style has been incredibly consistent and on point and um and I think takes takes a lot of the fuss out of it from players point of view. So yeah, listen, it comes down to execution from a players point of view always and but just good clear captaincy I think kind of sets the tone and paths paves the way for the players to kind of go ahead and and focus on what’s important which is obviously on the golf course from Friday morning. So there’s probably a million decisions Luke’s had to make to give us no decisions. Um and I think that that’s ultimately what the job of being a captain is. But yeah, I give Luke tons of credit for for how much he’s invested in himself. Let’s get both of you at 12 there. Hi Justin. Um yeah, uh you’re you’re a big Chelsea fan. What’s it been like having Franco around the place? Was was he one of your heroes? What your memories of watching him and what’s he what’s he been like? Um what’s his role kind of around the team? Yeah, I mean obviously you know Chelsea legend clearly I’m a Chelsea fan. Um I didn’t know he was coming this week so it was a huge surprise and literally one of the first people I bumped into. I was coming around the corner of the hotel to the to the lifts and bumped into him and you know just saying out there you know I meet a lot of really cool people in my life through the game of golf but I was like whoa wow hey Jim Franco like you know it’s like I was star struck which is amazing uh you know football hits different especially back at home and um you know obviously the career he’s had clearly do you know I mean listen I’ve become more of an engaged football fan in the last decade I would say I have a 16-year-old son who’s mad about his football so it’s really been more of a thing that we connect with now. So, I’d say my history of football and really like knowing greatest hits and highlights, I’ I’d be not quite there. But I mean I think his energy what he can provide I mean I think he’s here just to sort of in a sense not you know like let’s call it fly on the wall but I think if there’s a moment that he observes and can kind of chime in and can can understand the pressure or can understand momentum or you know locker room mentality then obviously there’s probably going to be something this week where he can relate relay a really powerful message. So hopefully he has that opportunity because I’d love to hear it. I address the same again. Um Luke seems to have planned and have detailed plans for everything this week. Is there an official policy how to deal with or handle President Trump when he comes on Friday if he’s on the course? Are you told are you going to ignore him, say hello to him? What how are you going to handle it? Um yeah, obviously he’s going to bring a lot of um you know, rightly so, a lot of attention and um patriotism to the to the event. And uh um by all accounts, he’s going to be in I I don’t know what I’m allowed to say, but I don’t think he’s necessarily going to be on the on the T- box with us or roaming the course. So, um from that point of view, I think there’ll just be a lot of noise around it, but I’m not sure there’ll be that continued distraction of it. But again, I I could be wrong just based upon what I’ve heard how they’re going to handle his movements around around the property. But listen, it’s uh it’s great for golf that, you know, he’s engaged in the game and obviously he brings a lot of eyeballs with him. So, um yeah, but fan-wise, I’m sure Friday afternoon will be will be certainly very intense and entertaining because we all know Donald Trump likes a winner and he was there when Chelsea won the trophy in July on that. If would you welcome him on the stage? If you retain the trophy, you’re going to invite him along if you do win on on Sunday. 100%. Love the opportunity. Yeah. To sort of, you know, have that opportunity. Listen, I’m not sure he’s going to want to be on the on the stage, you know, congratulating the uh the team that sort of wins in his backyard, but um listen, of course, he’s a president in the ultimate respect and uh that’d be that’d be a good opportunity. John, go ahead. Justin over here. Sorry, I’m not not following today. Sorry. Hi, John. Hi. Uh Rory seems to be the self-appointed chief chirper. Are you happy with him in that role? And how well do you think he does it? Chief chirper. Um yeah, I think Rory’s very comfortable with himself. I think he has thick skin. I think that he can handle the blowback of if he says something that he believes and it’s not taken in the the right way. I think he’s happy to to see it how how how he sees it and call it how he sees it. And I think that he has the freedom on the golf course to to just roll with to roll with that. You know, I don’t think it sort of layers. There’s what he says, I don’t think layers into his golf game. And that’s an amazing talent that he has. I think uh you know, he always plays incredibly freely. And I think that that’s probably the line where Rory can tiptoe better than most. Yeah. Over here with Doug. Rory’s got one more cup than you. You’ve got him by age still. I’m just curious. That’s the wrong relationship there. Yeah. what uh what what kind of um leadership role uh do you take amongst the players? Yeah. So, you know, obviously um elder statesman as I’ve been called, but um you know, I don’t try to see myself that way really because I’m still enthusiastic about my game and I still want to be a contributing member of the team in the greatest way possible, which is earning points and not just here for wisdom and things like that. But, you know, I celebrate the differences in our team and I think that’s obviously what Europe team Europe is all about. Come from different places, different cultures, different backgrounds and I think celebrating that’s important. So me putting my spin on it, I don’t want to sort of like cloud anybody’s judgment out there, but I also want to be an open enough book that if someone is feeling like they have a question, then um yeah, please come and ask me. I’m happy to share my my experience on that. But um I think that there’s not really a need for me to be able to or to have to put my arm around anybody. And I think the fact that we are 11 out of 12 returning players is an amazing thing, especially coming to an away rider cup and or 11 and a half returning players really. Um, but you did a good job shephering Bob around last time. Yeah. No, for sure. Well, I got a lot of credit for that. But, you know, whether I actually did or I didn’t, I don’t know. But, you know, ultimately to be the best leader is by being the best version of yourself and leading by example. So, I think, you know, that’s what I felt like at the last Ryder Cup essentially, I just had to remember all the things that work for me and try to sort of be Yeah. lead basically lead by example. But guess it helped me more than it helped Bob is what I would say to that for sure. Let’s go right side there. Number nine, please. Hi Justin. Um, a lot’s made of a success with you and Bob and in Rome. Obviously, uh, with your experience, you gave a lot to him, but I just wondered what do you look for in a partner that helps you thrive in the moment out there as a team? Yeah, it’s a great question. I’ve had I’ve been fortunate enough to have a lot of great partners over the years. you know, either great friendships or very similar golf games or or, you know, like taking on a different role within the the the pairing. So, um, you know, I’ve played alongside big players. You know, Henrik Stenson and myself, I think, were, you know, at the time top of the game, um, in terms of world rankings, played a very similar game, and that worked for us. That that that sort of similarity worked for us. Um, you know, myself and Ian Palter were fantastic. I think we have totally different kind of personalities and characters, but we were also best friends because of that. So, you know, celebrating our differences in that sense made us a great pairing. Um, and then obviously I’ve had a lot of variance as well throughout the, you know, throughout the years. Um, especially in the four ball side of things. So, um, I think what makes a great pairing is just the fact of having that mutual respect ultimately and the ability to not feel like you have to say sorry to your partner. Having the com enough of a comfort level where if things go wrong, there’s not that moment where heads go down and you feel like you’re letting one another down. That’s kind of like the line you can’t cross. But other than that, I think um it’s a pretty broad remit that what could make a good pairing out there. Thanks for your time, Justin. We appreciate it. All right. Thank you, guys.