Justin Rose is competing in his seventh Ryder Cup this week and his influence in the European team room has been hailed by Tommy Fleetwood ahead of the battle with the USA
Tommy Fleetwood has emphasised the vital role Justin Rose plays as Team Europe fights to keep hold of the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black.
Rose, 45, is beginning his seventh Ryder Cup adventure, and he remains one of just two players taking part this week who know what it takes to claim Ryder Cup success on American soil.
Rose and Rory McIlroy were part of Europe’s stunning comeback triumph at Medinah in 2012 – the last time a visiting team tasted Ryder Cup glory.
The former world No. 1 and US Open champion has achieved almost everything golf has to offer, and his veteran experience, alongside his continued excellence on the course, will surely be invaluable assets for European captain Luke Donald on Long Island.
The Englishman relished getting involved in the mind games leading up to the showdown with the Americans, reports the Express.
When asked about the impact of “old man” Rose within the European team setup during his Wednesday press conference, newly-crowned FedEx Cup champion Fleetwood disclosed he views Rose as a role model.
“Justin has always been someone I’ve been close to and looked up to in the way he conducts himself, in the way he goes about his game,” Fleetwood said. “He’s very much a leadership-by-example person. He doesn’t need to raise his voice or speak loudly or be the motivating force in terms of that. He’s there, he has plenty of words of wisdom, and he leads by example in how he prepares himself and conducts himself on the golf course.
“I feel lucky that I’ve been able to spend so much time with him and learn so much from being around him in terms of how he does things. Yeah, he isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, I don’t think.”
Several pivotal moments for Fleetwood have come to light during Ryder Cup battles, particularly his victory over Rickie Fowler in Rome that sealed Europe’s success. He pondered the importance of representing Europe and the illustrious heritage of champions who came before him.
“I think being part of a team is really beautiful,” he said. “It’s something that we don’t get to do week in, week out, and especially like this, where there’s so much history about the Ryder Cup.
“And I think being part of Team Europe, I’ve always been made so aware of the legacy that is Team Europe. We’re sort of carrying that right now.
“But there’s a time when we won’t be playing and there will be plenty of others that come after us, there’s been plenty that come before us, and I think it’s a privilege and a luxury that we get to do that all together.
“Being with the 11 other players, the vice captains, the captain, the backroom staff, having that support network, having those guys that make you want to be the best version of yourself … When you’re playing individually and you turn up in a c***py mood on the day, you just don’t have to speak to anyone.
“You just get on with it. But I think every day when you turn up as part of Team Europe, it drives you to be the absolute best version of yourself, and whether you’re playing well, whether you’re playing badly, whether you’re feeling tired, whether you’re feeling great, you do what is best for the team and you try and give your all. I think it just brings out the best in all of us.”
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