Legendary former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was a motivational genius in the football world, but he also helped to inspire Europe’s Ryder Cup win over the United States in 2014. Two years on from the “Miracle at Medinah”, Paul McGinley’s Europeans faced a weight of expectation to retain the trophy on home soil at Gleneagles in Scotland.
The Irishman drafted in legendary 13-time Premier League-winning coach Ferguson to ensure his players were in the right frame of mind for their duels on the links with the Americans, and it paid dividends with a triumphant 16.5-11.5 victory. Only two European players remain from that team nine years ago – Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose – but they are sure to remember some of the Scotsman’s words of wisdom ahead of this weekend’s showdown in Italy with the famous trophy on the line.
“It was very useful because we got to ask some questions, just about different things and what he thought was the key element to being successful as a team,” McIlroy said after Ferguson’s pep talk in the days before the opening tee shots. “He’s a very inspirational sort of man when he talks. He’s got a lot of authority and the room just goes quiet and everyone listens.”
McIlroy explained that Ferguson told the European team to channel the mentality that made his United players so formidable throughout his reign, welcoming the pressure of being favorites.
“United were obviously favorites and whenever he was managing, they made Old Trafford a bit of a fortress,” the Northern Irishman said. “And when teams went there, it was very hard to compete against United.
“He was just talking a bit about that. We’re slight favorites for a reason. We deserve to be. We’ve played well this year. It’s not something that we should shy away from. It’s something that we should embrace. For me, being a Manchester United fan, it was the highlight of the week so far.”
Four-time major champion McIlroy is used to leaving fans starstruck these days as the face of the PGA Tour, but it was clear that the experience he had of listening to Ferguson, now 81, in that situation was hugely inspirational and awe-inspiring.
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“I was just sitting there and looking up at him and I didn’t take my eyes off him,” he added. “I was sort of in this trance just listening to everything that he was saying and I’m sort of thinking, this is all the stuff that he’s probably said to Manchester United teams over the years.
“He told us a couple of stories just of past experiences in some big games and some of the players that he managed and it was a great evening. It was a really cool thing to be a part of.”
McIlroy and his European teammates face the United States at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in Rome, with the tournament beginning with foursomes and fourballs on Friday. Thursday’s Opening Ceremony will see Friday morning’s first matches announced.
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