Seve Ballesteros issues rallying call to European Ryder Cup side
Published:Colin Montgomerie’s Ryder Cup stars will go into action on Friday spurred on by a stirring rallying call from former captain Seve Ballesteros.
The golfing legend, too unwell to make the trip to Celtic Manor after undergoing brain surgery two years ago, spoke to the Europe players from his home in Santander, Spain.
And, according to Montgomerie, he gave the same speech which inspired his 1997 team to victory against the United States at Valderrama.
Montgomerie believes that the emotion that Seve portrayed in his 10 minute speech is the perfect motivational talk that can lead Europe to a victory that they are 8/13 favourites for.
Montgomerie said: “The whole team spoke to Seve for about 10 minutes and that was very motivational, very passionate and also very sad to hear from him the way he is.
“But the passion is very strong within Seve for us as a team and he just wished that he could be here.
“That was a real inspiration, especially for the rookies in the team.”
The importance of the Ryder Cup will have hit home to the European players during Seve’s speech and it may have given the team a reality check as their confidence threatens to turn into complacency.
Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell said on his Twitter site: “What a legend! Trying to win it for him this weekend. He symbolises European golf.”
McDowell has been at the centre of banter in the European dressing room and his energy could be the key to Europe winning the Ryder Cup – he is 7/4 to be the top Irish player.
The USA team continue to go about their business quietly and are 13/8 to win the Ryder Cup. See the full 2010 Ryder Cup betting odds market here.
