Molinari named Europe Ryder Cup vice-captain
"I'm very happy to be part of the team again," said Molinari. "I really enjoyed being part of Luke's backroom team in Rome and trying to help the players."Luke is a very smart, switched on individual. It's been great to see at first-hand how much he is putting into being the captain. He did the same two years ago and he's doing it now. He leads by example so that passion trickles down to the players."It is going to be a big challenge at Bethpage. Everyone will give their best and I am very happy to be able to give my contribution to the team."Donald added: "Francesco knows how to win Ryder Cups, having been on three winning teams, and I think that's really important for us. We obviously have a tough task ahead of us trying to win away in New York."I think he brings a very calm head. He is someone who listens a lot and has good ideas. He speaks up when he feels like he needs to."I love his demeanour. He just doesn't seem to get too flustered. He doesn't seem to get too high or too low. I think that's going to be important in a place like New York, an away Ryder Cup. So I love what he brings and I'm very excited that he's a part of the team again."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
7 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
New footage shows Donald Trump taking a Club World Cup winners' MEDAL as his gatecrashing escalates as it emerges he's keeping the original trophy in the Oval Office
New footage has shown US President Donald Trump receiving a winners' medal from FIFA president Gianni Infantino, before he joins Chelsea for their Club World Cup trophy lift. Trump was spotted among the Chelsea players as they lifted the new trophy, pictured alongside captain Reece James after the Blues had stunned Paris Saint-Germain with a 3-0 win in the final. Cole Palmer was the star of the show within the 90 minutes, with two goals and an assist for Joao Pedro to net the third in a rampant 45 minutes for the Blues. However, the celebrations were somewhat gatecrashed by the US President, who made a surprise appearance for the big moment. Trump was seen being handed a medal by Infantino, with pictures showing him holding onto the award during the ceremony. Yet Trump has now claimed that his involvement in the tournament has not ended with the trophy celebrations on Sunday, as he will now hold onto the real trophy, with Chelsea taking home a replica. Trump was seen still holding onto the prize later on in the victory ceremony on Sunday '[Fifa] is doing fantastically well for [football in America], it's a growing sport, it is a great sport,' President Trump told Dazn. 'They said: "Could you hold this trophy for a little while?". We put it in the Oval Office and then I said: "When are you going to pick up the trophy", and [Infantino] said: "We're never going to pick it up, you can have it forever in the Oval Office". 'And they actually made a new one [for Chelsea] but right now [the original] is in the Oval.' As such, Chelsea - who won the competition and pocketed a hefty prize purse - were given a replica version to take home. Clubs are usually given the legitimate trophy after winning silverware for their celebrations back home and open-top bus parades, with the cup later switched out. Mail Sport has approached FIFA for comment. Viewers of DAZN's coverage were also able to watch an unlikely exchange, as Infantino introduced Trump to Palmer, as the Chelsea and England star walked up to collect his player of the tournament prize. Lip reading expert Jeremy Freeman revealed Trump had words of admiration for Palmer, after watching his stunning performance in the final. ' Chelsea 's biggest fan. I'm a big fan of you. So well done you,' Trump said, according to Freeman. Palmer, who has be known to offer few words in post-match interviews, reportedly replied 'Thank you' before rejoining his team-mates. The 23-year-old's reaction to Trump's decision to remain on stage during Chelsea's trophy presentation, however, has garnered the biggest reaction from fans. The US President had been given the honour of presenting the trophy to Blues captain Reece James, with the expectation that he would then step aside, as it customary. Infantino was seen attempting to usher Trump away from Chelsea players, but the US president remained in place, standing either side of James and Sanchez. Trump's refusal to leave the stage left Chelsea players bewildered with Palmer appearing to say, 'What's he doing?'. Speaking post-match, Palmer admitted 'I knew he was going to be here but I didn't know he was going to be on the stand when we lifted the trophy so I was a bit confused, yeah.' Further light has been shed on Trump's presence in the trophy presentation, with his interactions with Chelsea captain James and goalkeeper Sanchez having been revealed. Palmer had appeared baffled by Trump's continued presence during the trophy presentation Palmer admitted at a press conference that he was 'a bit confused' by the situation While Palmer appeared confused in the background, Freeman revealed James had asked for Trump's permission to lift the trophy. As Palmer said 'No, no, just wait, wait…wait…wait', James was seen turning to the US President to seek his approval. James reportedly said 'I can lift?', with Trump responding 'Oh we can, good!' According to Freeman, Sanchez had been open to Trump remaining on the stage and being part of the celebrations. 'Please, sir,' the goalkeeper said to Trump, according to Freeman, before asking him 'Want us to lift the trophy next to you?' With Trump having signalled his approval, Sanchez was seen motioning for James to lift the trophy and kick-start the celebrations.
BBC News
11 minutes ago
- BBC News
'I've hit winning Open putt 1,000 times in my mind'
Justin Rose said that he has hit the winning putt for the Open Championship in his mind "more than 1,000 times" during the early stages of his 44-year-old will tee off at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland on Thursday for the 153rd edition of The has never won the British major but has twice finished second, in 2018 and more recently last year as Xander Schauffele lifted the Claret Jug at Royal Troon. "The Open is probably the most emotional major for me," Rose told BBC Sport. "As a British player it is one that I'd dearly love to win and is the one I've dreamed about winning the most as a kid, out on the putting greens as a youngster I've holed the putt to win The Open in my mind a thousand times or more." Rose announced himself to the golfing world in 1998 as a 17-year-old amateur when he chipped in for a birdie on the last hole to finish tied for fourth at The Open. "Birkdale 1998 for me is probably another reason why it has a special place in my heart, there's a lot of great reasons for me to keep working hard and try to win it," he biggest career wins include the US Open Championship in 2013 and a gold medal at the 2016 Olympic Games. He came close to a second major victory earlier this year when he came from seven strokes behind on the final day of the Masters to force a play-off against eventual champion Rory McIlroy. Rose also comes into this year's Open after an impressive final day at the Scottish Open last set the clubhouse lead and best round of the day of 63 on Sunday to propel himself to a sixth-placed finish. Rose 'confident' of Ryder Cup captain's pick Rose currently sits just outside the automatic top six qualification places for this year's European Ryder Cup team. The already qualified Rory McIlroy leads the way, also joined in the top six by Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton, Robert MacIntyre, Shane Lowry and Sepp Straka. North Hants Golf Club's Rose sits ninth in the rankings, just below Rasmus Hojgaard and Ludvig Aberg on 886.84 points. He says he is confident of joining captain Luke Donald and the team over in New York this September. "The Open Championship is definitely front and centre right now," Rose said."But pretty much straight after that it is about trending towards the Ryder Cup, it's one that we've been talking about for four to five years now given the magnitude of it."I'm definitely confident of having the opportunity to play but I'd like to show Luke some form over the next few months, this is the most important time to show the captain that you're playing well."Making the team is not the goal. It's about contributing to the team, it's about getting my game as sharp as I can and playing my best golf come September."Back in 2023 Rose was part of the squad that beat Team USA as the Europeans dramatically regained the trophy in year's competition will take place at Bethpage Black Golf Course in Farmingdale, New York. "Competing in New York itself is going to be huge," Rose added."It'll be a massive challenge for team Europe and it's one the team is relishing because we're going to be facing a really hostile environment that will challenge us."If we can stick together as a team then we will have a great opportunity."
Belfast Telegraph
19 minutes ago
- Belfast Telegraph
The Open: Rory McIlroy speaks to media as Monday practice resumes after weather warning
Key updates Players are back on the course Go back to the first tee in 2019, what exactly were you feeling and what have you learned about that? Morning in focus: Rory meets another NI legend The Open 2025: Odds as Scheffler and McIlroy the obvious favourites An omen as Rory takes times for fans? 8 minutes ago Gareth Hanna Jordan Spieth in the house - after a new arrival Jordan Spieth's name has appeared on the tee sheet, alongside fellow US players Justin Thomas and Xander Schauffele. (They were slated to start at 2.12pm but obviously the pause in play makes it hard to know what's going to happen with these tee-times and which players are where.) But the point is, Spieth is here just a day after he and his wife announced the birth of their third child, Sully. Jordan Spieth on Instagram: "We added a new member to the foursome - Sully Spieth! Everyone is doing great 💙" 101K likes, 893 comments - jordanspieth on July 13, 2025: "We added a new member to the foursome - Sully Spieth! Everyone is doing great 💙". jordanspieth, External contentWhen displaying external content, data is transferred to third parties. 15 minutes ago Players are back on the course And while we were in with Rory, the weather warning has been lifted to allow play to resume out there! It was almost a two hour pause in the action due to the passing thunderstorms. There is still a caution for everyone to "be prepared" as storms remain in the area, but as of now, we're all good to go again. Adam McKendry How did you handle the pressure in 2019 and what's the plan to handle it this year? "In 2019 I probably tried to isolate and it's better for everyone if I embrace it. It's better for me because it's nice to be able to accept adulation, even though I struggle to accept it sometimes, but it's also nicer for the person because it's a nicer interaction. I'm going to embrace everything that comes my way this week and not try to hide away from it and that will make it a better experience for everyone involved." 21 minutes ago Gareth Hanna How have your goals changed from after the Masters? "The two big things left this year is this week and the Ryder Cup. What I've found is after two weeks off and getting that excitement back, I approached last week and this week as a 14-day chunk of doing my prep and lock in and reset. I've got some events between this and the Ryder Cup but I want to have my very best stuff in New York. Obviously I had the US Open and PGA as major goals but I felt like the PGA Championship was maybe a bit soon and I didn't know how I felt. Then the US Open was OK. I started slowly and it took me a while to get into the tournament. It's been nice to get over this side of the pond and reset. I'm really excited for this week and the rest of the year." 23 minutes ago Adam McKendry What have you made of the reception from the fans so far? And how do you feel when you hear people saying you're the greatest sportsman from here? "We got to the hotel at 1am last night so it's barely been 12 hours, but it's been great. By the time I got to the back-nine today there was a great crowd out there at the 18th and seeing the kids and signing autographs it's really nice, and I'm sure it'll just build as the week goes on. "As far as the other thing, I'll let other people decide that. I try to do the best I can every time I go out there and it seems to work, and I feel like I have a lot more still to come. The story isn't over yet." 24 minutes ago Gareth Hanna Go back to the first tee in 2019, what exactly were you feeling and what have you learned about that? "I played a couple of Irish Opens in Portstewart, here and at RCD in Northern Ireland. But then you get to an Open and I think that feeling, the walk to the tee and the ovation - I was a little surprised and taken aback. These people REALLY want me to win. That brought its own pressure internally - not wanting to let people down. It's something I didn't mentally prepare for that day. I learned quickly that one of my challenges, especially in a week like this, is controlling myself and the battle. I spoke at the Masters, the battle was with myself. Whenever you get put in environments like that, it's you trying to overcome your mind and give yourself that clarity to put together a really good performance." 26 minutes ago Adam McKendry How did you find the course in your practice round and how much do you play Holywood these days? "The two things I noticed about this golf course today was I have a real appreciation for how well bunkered it is off the tee. I could hit a 2-iron off tee but that brings this bunker into play, or I could hit driver and it brings that bunker into play. Some courses on the Open rota you can take the bunkers out of play, you can lay up or go over them. Here, there's always one in play. Off the tee it's a really good test and I'm always surprised how much movement there is on the greens here, it's quite slopy compared to most links courses. Last week at Renaissance I had a lot of putts that were edges, here you have to play outside the hole a lot, which is different to a lot of links courses. "As for Holywood, I don't think I've played there in 15 years." 29 minutes ago Gareth Hanna In 2006 at the Dubai Desert Classic, you were a 16 year old and I was your scorer - you told me your goals were to be world number one and complete the career grand slam. How do you reset after realising your dreams? "I think everyone could see over the last couple of months how I struggled with that. I've done something I've told everyone I wanted to do, but I still feel like I have a lot more to give. Talk about the pressure being off - yes, but anyone who sits here is a competitor who wants to do better and think we can get a bit extra out of what we have. It hasn't taken me that long - 10 weeks or whatever - and I probably didn't give myself enough time to let it sink in but that's the nature of professional golf. They do a good job of keeping you on the hamster wheel and it's hard to get off at times. It's been an amazing year. The fact I'm here at Portrush with the green jacket, I want to do my best to enjoy everything and the reaction of the fans. But at the same time, I want to win this tournament and I feel like I'm very capable of doing that." 30 minutes ago Adam McKendry You were out in the last group at the Scottish Open on Sunday and played a practice round at 7am this morning, how much sleep did you have and was that always the intention? "I got about four hours of sleep so I'm looking forward to taking a nap after this! The last couple of Majors, the practice rounds take so long, there's about 50 people inside the ropes so I feel like I don't get good work done. I didn't get up here early to do any practice rounds so wanted to get out and beat the crowd, do my work without lots of people around. It worked out well to get 18 holes in early before the weather delay came in." 32 minutes ago Gareth Hanna What are your memories of breaking the Royal Portrush course record in 2005 aged 16? "I remember a little bit of it, not a lot of it. I was nine under for the last 10 holes. I had it going with the putter a bit. It was the first time I'd ever felt in the zone, or that flow state or whatever you want to call it. This course has changed. It's weird, the original 17 and 18 have been taken out and the 7 and 8 put in. Harry and I were talking last week about the 12th, and I was like oh now that's the 10th. I remember this course the way it was and not how it is for the Open. I've really only played two competitive rounds on this new course. "When I shot that 61, I had a little bit of a clue what I was doing but I didn't have as much of an understanding of the game as I do now. Technology has evolved and things have happened to the game that push you in the direction of a scientist, not an artist, but in links golf you need to show a lot of artistry to do well here." The day a 16-year-old Rory McIlroy announced himself to the golfing world: 'I thought it was a joke' 'I thought it was a joke.' 34 minutes ago Adam McKendry You've talked about yours and Shane's relationship, are there any traits of his you'd wish to have? "Shane and I have become, we've always been close, but I think we've gotten close over the last five or six years. Once we had kids, or certainly once I have and I see how Shane is with his daughters, I think how he is off the course and he's able to separate his family life and his normal life from his golfing life. I'm in a different position so it may be more difficult for me, but it's definitely a position I strive to be in, to be as comfortable getting away from it as he is and enjoying the fruits of your success and sharing that with your loved ones. One of my New Year's resolutions was to have more fun, and Shane is good at having fun." 36 minutes ago Gareth Hanna What are your most vivid recollections from here in 2019? "I remember the ovation I got on the first tee on Thursday and not being prepared for how I was going to feel. The golf on Thursday feels like a blur - I try to forget that part. I remember the run on Friday. I was making a charge and hit a 6-iron into the 14th and I remember the roar from the crowd. It was dark and overcast and the one thing I remember is that shot and that roar. That was really special. I wish I had been here for two more days to get a bit more of that but hopefully I can change that this week." 38 minutes ago Adam McKendry Why are you adding more events to your schedule, particularly around the world? "I've voiced my opinion that golf should get more international. I'm excited about India, to take in a new place and a new culture and play in different parts of the world. I'm going to Australia at the end of the year as well. I've always been an international player and at this stage of my career, 18 years in, to still be able to experience new things and go to new places is something that is very important." 39 minutes ago Gareth Hanna You spoke after the Masters about needing to find your Mt Everest, how do you feel? "I'm encouraged by how I've played in the last two starts. The two weeks off after the Travellers to reset and get over here for a change of scenery has been really nice. When I was looking at 2025, this was the tournament that was probably circled even more-so than the Masters for different reasons. It's lovely to be coming in here with (the Masters) and I'm excited with where my game is. I feel like I'm in a good spot heading into here." 40 minutes ago Adam McKendry What it means to be back at Royal Portrush "It means an awful lot. It's weird, it doesn't feel like six years has passed since 2019, it's amazing Royal Portrush has this opportunity to host again. Great to be back. I don't spend a lot of time in these parts anymore with travel schedule, living abroad, so to be here and see a lot of familiar faces was really nice. It's nice to be back and very excited for the week." 42 minutes ago Adam McKendry Here we go Rory McIlroy is in the interview room... 43 minutes ago Gareth Hanna Rory due any minute The press room has just been flooded with reporters as we await the main himself for the first press conference of the week. It's standing room only all of a sudden - or not even. 49 minutes ago Adam McKendry Harrington's honour The Open on Twitter / X Two-time Champion Golfer Padraig Harrington will hit the opening tee shot of The 153rd Open. The Open (@TheOpen) July 14, 2025 External contentWhen displaying external content, data is transferred to third parties. 56 minutes ago Adam McKendry Morning in focus: Rory meets another NI legend What happens when two of Northern Ireland's greatest ever sporting figures come face-to-face? Now you don't have to wonder, Steven Beacom reports on Rory McIlroy's surprise Monday morning practice round that included a meeting with an Ulster, Ireland and Lions rugby legend... Northern Irish sporting legends meet in surprise Monday morning practice round at Open This was game meeting game. Golfing icon meeting rugby icon. Northern Ireland sporting great meeting Northern Ireland sporting great. This was Rory McIlroy meeting Mike Gibson at Royal Portrush.
