Sport360°'s golf expert Joy Chakravarty is stationed at Gleneagles for the 2014 Ryder Cup and each day is providing a diary of the goings-on from Scotland.
After the third and final day, Joy discusses the passion of American Patrick Reed, the friendship between Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell and the latest award bestowed upon Jack Nicklaus.
Patrick Reed took a lot of heat on social media for his excited celebrations and attempts to hush the crowd after winning holes against Henrik Stenson.
However, it must be pointed out that he was perhaps the only American heckled by the crowd on the first tee on Saturday.
And at least one European, Colin Montgomerie, who himself was targeted a lot in the United States, jumped to Reed’s defence.
“Patrick Reed, I think, is brilliant,” Monty said on TV. “America needed 12 of these guys. If there were 12 Patrick Reeds on this team you wouldn’t be down 10-6, I can assure you. I think he’s fantastic, I really do.
“Isn’t it great to see someone with the passion, the pride, the patriotism of Patrick?”
Still great mates
So you thought Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell were no longer the best of friends? Not if McIlroy’s actions were anything to go by on Saturday.
After winning his singles match against Rickie Fowler, McIlroy decided the group to follow would be the one featuring McDowell.
And when G-Mac made the winning putt, McIlroy was among the first from the European team to rush on to the green. He allowed vice-captain Miguel Angel Jimenez and captain Paul McGinley to congratulate McDowell, before warmly hugging his Northern Ireland compatriot.
Another award for Jack
Jack Nicklaus was awarded honorary Life Membership of the European Tour.
Nicklaus, who was also presented with a plaque to recognise his role in transforming the Ryder Cup by proposing that the old Great Britain and Ireland team be expanded to Europe, said: “It’s an awfully nice honour. I have supported the European Tour all over the world, and to be part of that and honoured as a member is very, very nice.”
