Highlight of Ryder Cup Day 1 pressers? An 85-word question involving Visigoths

Editor’s be aware: The Ryder Cup, after final being performed two years in the past, is now simply 4 days away. But that’s additionally 96 hours. And 5,760 minutes. The level being, the biennial matches are as shut as a par-3 — however but really feel as far-off as a brutally lengthy par-5. The second hand can appear caught till Friday. 

And then there are the press conferences. They, too, can principally drag. After all, there are solely so some ways to slice a golf ball, double-pun meant.

But there are tasty morsels. 

So, over the subsequent 4 days, as a method to get us to the second when balls are within the air, we’ll supply a spotlight or two. They could be technical. They could be insightful. They could be emotional. They could be technically insightful, emotionally stated. 

They may additionally be mild. Like Monday’s. 

Day one at Marco Simone was arrival day, and there was only one presser, with two contributors: U.S. captain Zach Johnson and European captain Luke Donald. Over about 50 minutes, questions had been dutifully requested concerning the Americans’ 30-year drought in Europe. And the Solheim Cup. And Sam Burns’ hair. 

There was additionally a question about Tiger Woods’ potential involvement on the Ryder Cup, or lack thereof. “When it comes to the week of the tournament, if you’re not in on it and inside the team room, inside the ropes, shoulder-to-shoulder with these guys, it’s not fair to ask him questions,” Johnson stated. “It’s probably — he can give us insights, don’t get me wrong. At the same time, I don’t know if that’s proper and I think he would understand completely.”

And there was a question a couple of remark from analyst and longtime caddie John Wood, who prompt final week that the Europeans have had a bonus prior to now as a result of of their placing prep. Both Donald and Johnson stated they hadn’t heard that earlier than. “They are all world-class individuals that know how to get the best out of their games in the moments when they need it most,” Donald stated. “You know, whether that’s a Ryder Cup or a major or Players Championship or BMW PGA Championship, you know, these are the big events that they want to elevate their games to, and I wouldn’t have thought that their practice really changed much to be honest with you.”

But this, in not less than one observer’s eyes, was the day one spotlight. It was the final question of the session. It was requested by creator and Golf Digest contributor Shane Ryan. It had hints of an internet meme (which the PGA Tour also recently used). 

Here is the entire change, with some notes. 

(*1*)

Said Donald: “Well, history is always important. We know that, and hopefully the beginning of the history of the Roman Empire will be kind to European golf this week.”

Here, there was a pause. 

Said Johnson: “Wow.”

Said Donald: “Keep my answer short.”

Said Johnson: “I do love historical past and I do recognize definitely what this nation is about, and particularly this metropolis. I imply, Luke and I had the pleasure, I’d even say distinct honor of strolling the streets of Rome a yr in the past and truly hitting a golf ball by the Colosseum and the ruins and whatnot. I don’t take that with no consideration, whether or not you’re speaking empires, biblical significance, no matter it might be, this historical past, I imply, the historical past of Rome, I imply, it’s the everlasting metropolis.

“All that being stated, that is golf. I imply, that is sport. I’m going to maintain it fairly easy. That’s the best way I function. I’m going to let no matter drama you’re making an attempt to get into, I’m going to let that occur contained in the ropes with our golf balls. 

“Cheers.”

Four extra days to go. 

Editor’s be aware: To watch the entire press convention, please watch below. The Roman Empire question begins on the 44.45 mark. 

Nick Piastowski

Golf.com Editor

Nick Piastowski is a Senior Editor at Golf.com and Golf Magazine. In his function, he’s liable for modifying, writing and growing tales throughout the golf area. And when he’s not writing about methods to hit the golf ball farther and straighter, the Milwaukee native might be taking part in the sport, hitting the ball left, proper and brief, and ingesting a chilly beer to scrub away his rating. You can attain out to him about any of these matters — his tales, his recreation or his beers — at nick.piastowski@golf.com.