Edited by Anand Datla
On a glorious morning at Gleneagles, Paul McGinley and his 12-man European team gathered for the traditional pre-competition team photographs, writes RyderCup.com’s Will Pearson. Under a bright blue sky and with early autumn sunshine streaming across the Perthshire venue, the European side converged early on Tuesday morning as the sporting world got a first glance at the 2014 squad in its entirety.
McGinley, clutching the coveted Ryder Cup Trophy tightly in his hands, led out his dozen charges firstly in European-coloured Pro-Quip jackets, decked out in white, blue and gold, with veteran golf snapper David Cannon co-ordinating affairs as hoards of photographers, cameramen, onlookers and fans gathered for the occasion. Heralding the start of Ryder Cup week proper, the jackets were then removed to reveal the team outfits for the first Official Practice Day, provided – as has been the case for the last 26 years – by Scottish clothing manufacturer Glenmuir, with Rory McIlroy and co. sporting grey polo shirts and blue-based tartan trousers.
Indeed, befitting of host nation Scotland, this week staging just its second Ryder Cup and first in 41 years, the first Official Practice Day this year has been titled #TartanTuesday. There was plenty of good-natured banter, jokes and laughs flying around amongst the tight-knit team, with Lee Westwood joking that Captain McGinley should stand up – a reference to the Irishman’s diminutive stature – and Justin Rose being lambasted for leaving a coffee cup within camera-sight, as the often talked of Ryder Cup camaraderie appeared to be blossoming.
Following the traditional pictures with the team golf bags, the squad was joined by vice captains, backroom staff and caddies as the equally-traditional domino-esque toppling of the bag-men ensued. “Get it out the way early!” quipped Westwood.
But, all laughing and joking aside, and with the sight of ‘Mr Ryder Cup’ Ian Poulter gripping tightly around his team-mates shoulders, the spirit of the contest was alive and well as The Ryder Cup countdown continues.
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Republished from European Tour
