FIT FOR A WIN
Inside Europe’s Team Room at Ryder Cup 2023 including heartbreaking reason behind 13th locker
EUROPE'S Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald has given fans a behind-the-scenes look at their Team Room ahead of Friday's tee-off.
Europe's 12-man side are bidding to reclaim the Ryder Cup in Rome this weekend after USA's comprehensive victory in 2021.
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And Donald, 45, has attempted to provide the best possible environment for his team to succeed over the three days.
In a lengthy , the former World No1 took people into Europe's Team Room, starting with the "chill out area".
This is decorated with a host of photos of the team from their practice trip.
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There is also a TV and sofas where the players can watch the coverage.
Donald said he wanted to create something "homely" where the team "could be all together".
He then walks through to the breakfast area where the players will eat before heading out onto the course.
This is where some historic images of the European team can be seen - including a brilliant shot of the formidable Spanish pair Jose Maria Olazabal and Seve Ballesteros.
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Donald describes the eating area as an "amazing space" to "keep the team bonding going".
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Europe's captain then heads downstairs towards the locker room.
But before they reach it, the players will see the "history wall".
This consists of all 168 players that have featured for the European team - and it fittingly spells out "EUROPE" in yellow with a blue background.
There is also a quote from the late Ballesteros on the wall which reads: "Seeing ourselves win, and wanting passionately to win are, I believe, the first steps to victory."
Five-time major winner Ballesteros passed away in 2011 at the age of 54 after battling a brain tumour.
Another brilliant addition to the team room is a wall showcasing the brilliant performances from Europe's rookies in the past - featuring Olazabal, Phillip Walton, Thomas Pieters, Sergio Garcia and Tommy Fleetwood.
Donald then makes his way through to the lockers where the golf bags are lined up in alphabetical order for the players.
Each locker and bag is personalised with the individual's name, along with a Team Europe-branded towel and bag for toiletries.
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Towards the end of the video, Donald urgers viewers to follow him "to my most favourite room".
He walks through and unveils the incredible team dressing room which is lit up with each player's name.
Under each name reads "This is your time" in the player's native language.
But the most touching gesture in the whole building is the addition of the "13th locker".
Along with the 12 players in this year's Ryder Cup team, they have also made a space for Ballesteros - who played in eight Ryder Cups and led Europe to five wins as a player and captain.
Speaking about the fitting move, Donald said: "Seve is our ultimate symbol for what makes a European player great.
"His spirit and his enthusiasm and his soul will be with us all the way."
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The video then finishes by showing the last thing the players will see before they head out onto the course - which is a picture of Ballesteros designed by local art students. along with the caption "Forever in our hearts".
Donald ends by adding: "What the Ryder Cup meant to him [Ballesteros], they will feel that as they go out and they'll be ready to go."
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