McDowell

McDowell competed in four Ryder Cups between 2008 and 2014, picking up nine points from 15 matches, and his success over Hunter Mahan in the final singles match at Celtic Manor in Wales in 2010 closed out victory for the Europeans.

He went on to serve twice as a vice-captain – under Thomas Bjorn in 2018 and under Padraig Harrington for the 2020 Ryder Cup in 2021.

His experiences from those encounters and his observations of events since give him an insight into the spirit among European teams and the recipe for success in the febrile atmosphere generated by the competition.

“The European system that has been developed is obviously turning into something very robust. Take the chemistry of partnerships and developing great relationships.

“Eleven of the 12 players who competed in Rome [in 2023] competing again for Europe in this Ryder Cup, something that has never been done before, and look at the results.

“It was an incredible first four sessions, the domination. Clearly that’s not something a team can do every year so you’re always having to cycle new players in and out, figure out the chemistry between them, put great pairings together, continue to be a dominant force in the foursomes.”

Traditionally Europe have been more successful in the pairs formats of the event, with the United States often enjoying the upper hand in the singles, as was the case in the 2025 edition.

“Friday and Saturday are huge days because you lay the foundation down for what Sunday’s singles can be,” reflected the 2010 US Open champion.

“America are historically a little stronger in singles over the years but Europe laid the foundations down in those pairings. It comes down to understanding what makes a great pair, and that comes from all the analytics.

“But there’s so much more to that. It comes from the great friendships that are struck up in the team rooms, the camaraderie.

“The players come from all over Europe – different countries, different cultures and different backgrounds. They all come together.”

Three-time Ryder Cup winner Graeme McDowell says he has not given up hope of being involved for Europe in the future.

Having played on four teams and twice served as vice-captain, the 47-year-old Northern Irishman was tipped as a future European captain before his controversial switch to LIV Golf in 2022.

The latest edition of the biennial contest against the United States takes place at Bethpage Black in New York from 26-28 September, while Adare Manor in Ireland will host the 2027 event.

“Jon Rahm asked me earlier this year if I was asked to be a vice-captain at Bethpage Black would I accept it. I replied if they asked me to make coffees for you – I would go and make coffees,” said McDowell, who famously holed the winning putt at Celtic Manor in 2010.

“That’s how much it means to me and how much I want to be there in a supporting role for Team Europe.

“It goes without saying as we look towards Adare Manor in two years’ time I would do anything to be in that European team room, to be part of that team, to put that team Europe shirt on one more time, to have the badge on my chest, to cheer the guys on and help Europe win another Ryder Cup. I hope to be there.”

The former US Open champion added: “I feel like I have something to give back.

“I wish Team Europe all the best at Bethpage Black – I will be pulling for them every shot and wish I was there, but the politics is a lot of levels above what I do, it’s definitely the powers that be that will figure this out for us.”