So then, finally, the Ryder Cup. A busy auld build-up it's been too, beginning after the last putt was struck in Medinah in 2012 and featuring more appearances on our tellies by Paul McGinley than Bryan Dobson.
“I would like to recognise my wife,” said Paul wistfully in his opening ceremony speech, which told us just how much time he’s had to spend away from home as he toured the globe spreading Rydermania. “Hello, I’m Mrs McGinley,” she’d have had to say when they met up in the clubhouse.
But when Sky’s Tim Barter gave us a behind-the-scenes exclusive, taking us on a tour of Team Europe’s Gleneagles HQ, you got a sense of just why McGinley has poured his heart and soul and air miles in to his captaincy.
There on the wall of the room, where Team Europe will have their breakfast every morning, is a very large picture of a screaming Ian Poulter with a beating but disembowelled blue heart in the palm of his hand.
“And underneath, it reads: ‘Europe, I’ll give you my heart’,” Tim told us, solemnly. Imagine trying to eat your Coco Pops with that looking down on you.
The crowd roars
So, up for it, big time, as was the crowd heartily chanting “Euuuuuuuuuuuuurope” during the opening ceremony hosted by Sky’s Di Dougherty. Their emotion hit another level altogether, just like that of Victor Dubuisson and the lads, during that playing of Euuuuuuuuuuuuuurope’s anthem
Ode to Joy
,
originally written by Beethoven for the closing titles of the Eurovision Song Contest. (
Bubba Watson
: “Woah – talented dog!”)
The emotions soared even higher when Di introduced Amy Macdonald, “a recent recipient of the 2014 Scottish Fashion Icon Award”, leaving Bubba, who didn’t look entirely at home in his Tartan suit, wondering if that was a good thing.
And then Amy, "the pride of Bishopbriggs" (Bubba: "What?") , played a tune about her pride in coming from such a beautiful country, and soon after they raised the Saltire as the plaintive bagpipey strains of Flower of Scotland filled the Gleneagles air.
How Alex Salmond restrained himself from grabbing the mic and howling “they fought and died for YOUR wee bit o’ hill and glen - and you STILL voted NO!” we’ll never know. But he did, and for that he deserves praise, and maybe even a purr from the Queen.
Captains revealed
Any way, after the singing and bagpiping was done, it was time for the big reveal: the captains’ fourball selections for Day One. And families have been torn apart in recent weeks over their opinion-differences on the best pairings, so you can only imagine the tension as Di summoned Paul and Tom to the podium.
Teeing off at a time when the early bird is still snoring – 7.35am – Bubba and Webb Simpson v Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson.
And then Rickie Fowler, with USA! shaved in to his head, and Jimmy Walker v Thomas Bjorn and Martin Kaymer.
And then Poulter and his disembowelled blue heart and Stephen Gallacher against two Americans.
And then, after their luxurious lie-in, Rory and Sergio (See? You don't even need their surnames) against Phil Mickelson and somebody else.
“Hey, hey – litigate that,” said Rory’s face as he grinned in the direction of Phil, almost enough to get you to set your alarm clock for 8.20am.
David Livingstone was almost breathless with anticipation, although – and this is a compliment – he tends to be that way even ahead of the North-West San Marino Open. Colin Montgomerie reminded us of when he was Ryder captain. A few times, like.
