Leadership, it is said, falls somewhere between an art and a science. Arguably, in sport, especially team sport and in golf with its many external factors beyond a captain’s control, more of a forward planning, hard work and hope-for-the-best approach. But it does appear for the time being at least, Europe has the Indian sign over Captain America and its charges.
It has been suggested that the 2018 Ryder Cup was won before it had even begun. European captain Bjørn and his many assistants, also known as ‘the next cabs off the rank,’ were putting the finishing touches to their strategy, issuing each player with a specially-commissioned DVD including touchstone moments and quintessential quotes from former captains Brian Huggett, Sam Torrance and José Maria Olazábál.
For this correspondent at least, the term ‘success’ can be brought by - and measured against - a fusion of factors over which captains and players have limited control and influence.
