Analytics, $100 side bets and banter: how Europe won the Ryder Cup | Sean Ingle

Europe’s convincing Ryder Cup victory in Rome was the culmination of months of detailed preparationIn those moments of sweet pandemonium after Tommy Fleetwood had sealed Europe’s Ryder Cup victory, it all got a little wild at the Marco Simone Country Club. The crowd on the 18th hole asked Rory McIlroy for a song. He responded by swinging his cap around his head like a battleax before leading a chant of “Raise your hands!” to the tune of the Cranberries’ Zombie. Then he sprinted 100 metres to bearhug Shane Lowry, even though his teammate was still playing. It was that sort of afternoon.Before long thousands of fans were also breaking through the ring of steel around the final green to celebrate. At least three ended up falling in a bunker. Meanwhile Luke Donald’s team were hugging and high-fiving, telling jokes and sinking bottles of beer and champagne. Continue reading...