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<\/p>\nIf Luke Donald wants to relax the nerves of his European team before the final day of the Ryder Cup he could always take a leaf out of Paul McGinley’s book – not that too many people will be recommending it. The Irishman was part of Bernhard Langer’s successful 2004 side that inflicted a then-record 18.5-9.5 defeat on the USA in their own backyard at Oakland Hills.<\/p>\n
After the first two days’ play, the visitors held a commanding 11-5 lead, humbling the likes of Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson in the process.<\/p>\n
That lead would only be extended on the final day, but as McGinley recently revealed, Europe’s final day preparation was somewhat at odds with the standard approach of the modern sportsman.<\/p>\n
Speaking to Golf Today earlier this month, McGinley confessed that along with his teammates, the team drank so much wine on the Saturday night that bar staff at Oakland Hills had to go out and order more booze for them.<\/p>\n
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“Also, the world has changed a bit too,” McGinley said. “I mean back in our day, there was quite a bit of alcohol consumed, I think it’s fair to say. Even during Ryder Cups!<\/p>\n
“I was amazed when I was captain in ’14, nobody drank. I mean, nobody. It wasn\u2019t like, \u2018It\u2019s a Ryder Cup, I\u2019m not going to drink.\u2019 It was a case of, \u2018No, I\u2019m not drinking, I don\u2019t drink when I play. It was not even a question.<\/p>\n
“Whereas I remember when we won by a record margin back at Oakland Hills under Bernhard Langer, I remember one of the backroom staff telling us on a Saturday night, so this was before the Sunday… we had consumed 72 bottles of wine already on Saturday night, and they had to go and re-order.<\/p>\n
Don’t miss… <\/strong> We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info<\/p>\n “It\u2019s not like we were getting drunk every night \u2014 far from it. But everyone would have had one, two, maybe three glasses of wine at night and it was normal. And nine, 10 out of the 12 players would do that. Obviously, it’s a changed atmosphere now.”<\/p>\n McGinley’s boozy night at Oaklands did not have too much of an effect on how the European team performed as it turned out. The Irishman was last out of the traps, beating Stewart Cink 3 & 2 to round off an emphatic 18.5-9.5 win for Langer’s team.<\/p>\n But if Donald’s team get the job done on Sunday, then there is every chance that they could hit the bar heavy themselves at the Marco Simone Golf & Country Club. When in Rome, as they say.<\/p>\n
Golf fans just realising how Ryder Cup got its name as USA and Europe collide[BACK STORY] <\/strong>
Ryder Cup ace Viktor Hovland rubs salt into USA wounds by ‘losing your s***'[NEEDLE] <\/strong>
Sky Sports forced to apologise for Ryder Cup coverage as European ace left angry[X-RATED] <\/strong><\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/71\/590x\/secondary\/4985791.jpg?r=1696025607804\")
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