Inside Team Europe’s Ryder Cup locker room with Spanish icon the inspiration

The Ryder Cup begins on Friday and Team USA will look to defend its crown and continue their dominance over Europe. However, Team Europe has unveiled their locker room for the historic event, and legendary golfer Seve Ballesteros is very much their inspiration over the weekend.

With play at the Ryder Cup underway on Friday after Thursday’s Opening Ceremony, players are getting comfortable at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Guidonia Montecelio.

Team Europe captain Luke Donald has let cameras inside their dressing room, explaining the reasoning behind the unique designs. The space will be shared by qualifiers Ludvig Aberg, Tommy Fleetwood, Nicolai Hojgaard, Shane Lowry, Justin Rose, and Sepp Straka, who joined automatic qualifiers Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Robert MacIntyre, Viktor Hovland, Tyrrell Hatton and Matt Fitzpatrick.

The players will need to be calm and relaxed to try and beat Team USA, and their locker room has been adjusted to enhance and encourage the players. Daily Express Sports US takes a look inside the locker room.

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José María Olazábal quote

When walking into the locker room players read an inspiring quote from legendary Spanish golfer José María Olazábal. The 57-year-old shared a close relationship with fellow golfing icon Ballesteros, who also features heavily in the locker room.

“All men die, but not all men live,” Olazábal’s quote reads. “This week, you made me feel alive again.”

Practice trip pics

To remind the team about their bond there is a selection of photos around the locker room from practice sessions, retelling stories and capturing memories. “For me, I wanted to create something homely,” Donald said. “It’s important. We’ve got some pictures from our practice trip, the first time we were all together.”

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The History Wall

A nice tribute in the locker room is ‘The History Wall’, which names every single player that has ever represented Team Europe. “History is a really important part of this week, it’s an important part of why we play Ryder Cups,” Donald explained.

“We are inspired by those who came before us and it’s now our opportunity to write our own story. Only 168 have ever played for Team Europe.”

Dressing room and Seve tribute

Just before heading into the dressing room is a quote from Seve, who sadly passed away in 2011 at the age of 54. The quote reads: “Seeing ourselves win, and wanting to win passionately are, I believe, the first steps to victory.”

Donald explained that Seve features a lot around the team areas, and he’s even the 13th member of the dressing room. “It’s 13 lockers, twelve plus one for Seve,” Donald said. “Seve is our ultimate symbol for what makes a European player great. His spirit, enthusiasm, and soul will be with us all the way.”

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