0:00:00 > 0:00:00coming from a small provincial club
0:00:30 > 0:00:33In five days' time, this is the place to be -
0:00:33 > 0:00:35the PGA Centenary Course at Gleneagles -
0:00:35 > 0:00:37for something pretty special -
0:00:37 > 0:00:40the 40th Ryder Cup - Europe versus the United States -
0:00:40 > 0:00:41is about to begin.
0:00:41 > 0:00:47# And the story goes on
0:00:47 > 0:00:50# On...
0:00:51 > 0:00:56# On...
0:00:56 > 0:00:58# This is the story
0:00:58 > 0:01:02# Fate is coming, that I know This is the story
0:01:02 > 0:01:05# Time is running, got to go This is the story
0:01:05 > 0:01:09# Fate is coming, that I know This is the story
0:01:09 > 0:01:12# Let it go
0:01:12 > 0:01:15# Fate is coming, that I know... #
0:01:18 > 0:01:20'Oh, that is unbelievable.'
0:01:22 > 0:01:24Coming up in the next 30 minutes,
0:01:24 > 0:01:28we'll look ahead to one of the biggest sporting events
0:01:28 > 0:01:30ever to take place in Scotland.
0:01:30 > 0:01:33We'll hear from the Bathgate rookie representing Team Europe
0:01:33 > 0:01:35as well as from both captains,
0:01:35 > 0:01:39I go behind the scenes at Gleneagles to see how the course is shaping up,
0:01:39 > 0:01:43Scotland's top golf writers discuss the key players,
0:01:43 > 0:01:46and two golfing greats reminisce
0:01:46 > 0:01:48about their own Ryder Cup experiences.
0:01:50 > 0:01:54But first - it's been a hectic few weeks for Stephen Gallacher.
0:01:54 > 0:01:56The best season of his career brought him
0:01:56 > 0:01:59to the brink of Ryder cup qualification,
0:01:59 > 0:02:02only to fall one birdie short in the last qualifying event.
0:02:02 > 0:02:05But that was enough to impress Paul McGinley,
0:02:05 > 0:02:07who selected him as one of his three wildcards.
0:02:07 > 0:02:10It's been a rollercoaster year, really,
0:02:10 > 0:02:12to come so close and then to wait
0:02:12 > 0:02:13on the end of the phone
0:02:13 > 0:02:16for Captain McGinley phoning me
0:02:16 > 0:02:19was just something that fulfilled my lifelong dream.
0:02:19 > 0:02:21I've known Paul all my days.
0:02:21 > 0:02:23We've worked with Bob Torrance, you know,
0:02:23 > 0:02:26and I know him personally,
0:02:26 > 0:02:30and just to hear his words say that was just fantastic, really.
0:02:30 > 0:02:32We all knew Stevie could play well.
0:02:32 > 0:02:34It was playing well when he really needed to.
0:02:34 > 0:02:36He'd shown that in Dubai
0:02:36 > 0:02:38when he won against a very strong field,
0:02:38 > 0:02:42but to do it in the last counting event for the Ryder Cup
0:02:42 > 0:02:45that probably will be the only...could be the only Ryder Cup
0:02:45 > 0:02:48that will ever be in his country during his career,
0:02:48 > 0:02:50to know what was at stake
0:02:50 > 0:02:52and to perform when he really needed to,
0:02:52 > 0:02:55psychologically, he has the mental fortitude
0:02:55 > 0:02:58to rise to a new level when it was really required.
0:02:58 > 0:03:00As a member of Bathgate Golf Club,
0:03:00 > 0:03:04Stephen Gallacher's affinity with the Ryder Cup goes back a long way.
0:03:04 > 0:03:08My uncle, obviously, he played in vice captain two and captain three,
0:03:08 > 0:03:11and Eric Brown, he played in it and captained it as well,
0:03:11 > 0:03:13coming from Bathgate,
0:03:13 > 0:03:17so it's an honour, really, for me to be in amongst those two guys,
0:03:17 > 0:03:19coming from a small provincial club
0:03:19 > 0:03:23and to get the Ryder Cup in the family, with my uncle as well,
0:03:23 > 0:03:25has made it even more special.
0:03:25 > 0:03:27I think he feels that, you know,
0:03:27 > 0:03:29he belongs playing in these fields.
0:03:29 > 0:03:32That's what it showed at the Open this year at Hoylake.
0:03:32 > 0:03:35He wasn't intimidated by the rest of the play,
0:03:35 > 0:03:37he feels he's got as good a game as anybody,
0:03:37 > 0:03:40he hits it as far as anybody, he hits it as straight as anybody.
0:03:40 > 0:03:44What does it mean to you to be in this Ryder Cup team?
0:03:44 > 0:03:47Well, it's been my lifetime goal all my days
0:03:47 > 0:03:50so 39, turning 40 next month,
0:03:50 > 0:03:52and, you know, to do it in Scotland,
0:03:52 > 0:03:55especially when the last time it was here was 40 years ago,
0:03:55 > 0:03:57has made it even more special,
0:03:57 > 0:03:59so I made a conscious effort two years ago
0:03:59 > 0:04:03to try and get in it and to finally get in it has just been overwhelming.
0:04:03 > 0:04:05It's something he'll remember the rest of his life.
0:04:05 > 0:04:08I was lucky to play the Ryder Cup in the K Club in 2006
0:04:08 > 0:04:09in my home country
0:04:09 > 0:04:11and, wow, what an experience that is, as an Irishman,
0:04:11 > 0:04:14getting welcomed onto the first tee as an Irishman,
0:04:14 > 0:04:16very emotional experience, and it'll be the same for Stevie.
0:04:16 > 0:04:19You're one of the guys that knows this course
0:04:19 > 0:04:21in Gleneagles as well as anyone.
0:04:21 > 0:04:23What kind of venue do you think it'll be next week?
0:04:23 > 0:04:26I think the venue will be brilliant.
0:04:26 > 0:04:27It's a stadium course
0:04:27 > 0:04:29so the fans are going to be right down each hole.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32The course is in immaculate condition.
0:04:32 > 0:04:35We've had perfect weather. It's in great nick.
0:04:35 > 0:04:38You know, there are few run-offs roundabout the greens.
0:04:38 > 0:04:39It's going to be a great week.
0:04:39 > 0:04:42Do you have any advantage, knowing the course so well?
0:04:42 > 0:04:45People always say that you know it better than anyone.
0:04:45 > 0:04:46I don't think so.
0:04:46 > 0:04:49I think these guys, you know, they turn up for a new course
0:04:49 > 0:04:51on a Tuesday, play their round and they're ready,
0:04:51 > 0:04:54but the good thing for me is I've got a lot of good memories
0:04:54 > 0:04:56round it and have hit a lot of good shots
0:04:56 > 0:04:59that I can try and pull on through the week.
0:05:04 > 0:05:08The record books show that the USA lost the last two Ryder Cups,
0:05:08 > 0:05:11but that doesn't tell the full story.
0:05:11 > 0:05:14Losing by the smallest possible margin on both occasions,
0:05:14 > 0:05:17it took all of Graeme McDowell's resilience
0:05:17 > 0:05:19to deny them at Celtic Manor.
0:05:20 > 0:05:23And after two days of American brilliance at Medinah,
0:05:23 > 0:05:27it took one of the greatest sporting comebacks of all time
0:05:27 > 0:05:28to thwart them.
0:05:28 > 0:05:33Captain Tom Watson wants his team to draw on those experiences.
0:05:33 > 0:05:37I always felt in my career that after a setback
0:05:37 > 0:05:41I always rebounded and played better golf after a setback.
0:05:41 > 0:05:43It made me charge myself
0:05:43 > 0:05:47with getting back to square one or getting even
0:05:47 > 0:05:50or getting even better results,
0:05:50 > 0:05:53and I'm going to charge the team with the same thing.
0:05:53 > 0:05:55I said, "You remember Medinah,
0:05:55 > 0:05:59"you remember the feelings you had after Medinah - use that."
0:05:59 > 0:06:04Watson has captained before - at the Belfry in 1993 -
0:06:04 > 0:06:07the last time the Americans won on foreign soil.
0:06:07 > 0:06:12For that to happen again, he needs leaders out on the course.
0:06:12 > 0:06:16Somebody took charge at the '93 Ryder Cup in the name of Payne Stewart.
0:06:16 > 0:06:18He was the go-to guy.
0:06:18 > 0:06:21He was the guy that kept everybody pumped up
0:06:21 > 0:06:23and in the right spirit,
0:06:23 > 0:06:25and I'm there to do a couple of things,
0:06:25 > 0:06:29and the first thing I must do is pick the three players
0:06:29 > 0:06:32and the second thing I must do is create the teams
0:06:32 > 0:06:34in the order in which the teams play.
0:06:34 > 0:06:36'The champion!'
0:06:36 > 0:06:38CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:06:38 > 0:06:40European golfers have certainly
0:06:40 > 0:06:43played great in the major championships,
0:06:43 > 0:06:46you look at what they've done, and it's been impressive,
0:06:46 > 0:06:50Rory certainly coming back after a real bad spell in his game.
0:06:50 > 0:06:53That shows me some character right there.
0:06:53 > 0:06:56Justin Rose, maybe winning his match at the Ryder Cup
0:06:56 > 0:06:58has inspired him.
0:06:58 > 0:07:01Sometimes that's what happens.
0:07:01 > 0:07:04All you need is that little boost in your career
0:07:04 > 0:07:07and it pushes you over the hump and gives you the confidence
0:07:07 > 0:07:08that, yeah, I can do it,
0:07:08 > 0:07:10I can get this done when the chips are down.
0:07:10 > 0:07:14With four of his five Open wins coming in Scotland,
0:07:14 > 0:07:17Watson is loved by Scottish golf fans...
0:07:17 > 0:07:21but that's something he feels will count for little
0:07:21 > 0:07:23in the white heat of the Ryder Cup.
0:07:23 > 0:07:27There's nothing that will convince me that...
0:07:27 > 0:07:30when the gun goes off on Friday
0:07:30 > 0:07:34that the Scottish fans, the English, the European fans will be
0:07:34 > 0:07:37pulling for their team, as it should be.
0:07:37 > 0:07:39It's a very partisan event
0:07:39 > 0:07:42and it's a wonderful event from that standpoint.
0:07:42 > 0:07:44We're playing as a team,
0:07:44 > 0:07:47the two teams facing each other, as it always has been.
0:07:47 > 0:07:50'Watson from the rough on the right-hand side
0:07:50 > 0:07:52'of the 15th green.
0:07:54 > 0:07:57'It's good, it's good. It's very good!'
0:07:57 > 0:08:01I've had a series of wonderful experiences in Scotland,
0:08:01 > 0:08:04meeting some of the most wonderful people.
0:08:04 > 0:08:06There are people who love the game of golf
0:08:06 > 0:08:09and it gets back to the fabric of golf in Scotland.
0:08:09 > 0:08:12I don't think any country in the world
0:08:12 > 0:08:15has it deeply sewn in their fabric as Scotland does.
0:08:17 > 0:08:21Watson's opposite number is European Captain Paul McGinley.
0:08:21 > 0:08:24For the Irishman, who played in it three times,
0:08:24 > 0:08:28the Ryder Cup provided the greatest moment of his career.
0:08:28 > 0:08:31Playing as a rookie at the Belfry in 2002,
0:08:31 > 0:08:33he sank the winning putt.
0:08:33 > 0:08:35I think it's about playing for your people,
0:08:35 > 0:08:38playing for the country you're from, representing your people,
0:08:38 > 0:08:42representing Europe - in the American case, representing America.
0:08:42 > 0:08:44This is not about money. The players don't get paid next week.
0:08:44 > 0:08:48It's about engaging with the players, engaging with the crowd,
0:08:48 > 0:08:50engaging with each other, bonding with each other,
0:08:50 > 0:08:52all of the good things in life that we all enjoy.
0:08:52 > 0:08:55CROWD CHANTS
0:08:58 > 0:09:01Are you expecting Gleneagles to be a noisy, passionate environment?
0:09:01 > 0:09:05Yeah, of course we are. I think it's a very passionate event.
0:09:05 > 0:09:08You see people there getting so excited,
0:09:08 > 0:09:09the crowd getting so excited.
0:09:09 > 0:09:11Just like a soccer team playing at home,
0:09:11 > 0:09:13there's a big advantage,
0:09:13 > 0:09:15and the noise can certainly elevate you to a new level
0:09:15 > 0:09:18so I know it'll have an influence on the players,
0:09:18 > 0:09:21but we all know there's a line. The Scottish crowd know that very well
0:09:21 > 0:09:23and they're very respectful of the Americans.
0:09:23 > 0:09:26Just about everybody I meet tells me Europe are the favourites
0:09:26 > 0:09:28for this Ryder Cup. Ought we be?
0:09:28 > 0:09:30The bookies are giving us slight favourites.
0:09:30 > 0:09:32But not huge favourites. Slight favourites.
0:09:32 > 0:09:34What's an interesting statistic behind the scenes
0:09:34 > 0:09:36is if you take our 12 players and their 12 players,
0:09:36 > 0:09:39line them up, take all of the world ranking positions
0:09:39 > 0:09:41and get a mean average on each of them,
0:09:41 > 0:09:43their mean average is 16 and ours is 18,
0:09:43 > 0:09:46so this shows this is not a weak American team,
0:09:46 > 0:09:48this is not an American team that we will underestimate.
0:09:48 > 0:09:50We know we're going to have to play very well.
0:09:50 > 0:09:52It's a very strong American team.
0:09:52 > 0:09:55I know what a Ryder Cup captain CAN do,
0:09:55 > 0:09:57what CAN'T a Ryder Cup captain do?
0:09:57 > 0:09:59Hit the shots.
0:10:00 > 0:10:03You'll find that once the gun goes off and that first round
0:10:03 > 0:10:08takes off on the Friday morning, that I'll be standing in the background.
0:10:08 > 0:10:09My job then is to go...
0:10:09 > 0:10:11Not to be running around the fairways telling the players
0:10:11 > 0:10:13how to hit their shots, what to do, what not to do.
0:10:13 > 0:10:16At that stage, I trust them and I trust their caddies
0:10:16 > 0:10:18to go ahead and do the job that they're obviously very good at
0:10:18 > 0:10:20in order to qualify for the team.
0:10:20 > 0:10:22Before big football fixtures,
0:10:22 > 0:10:26we sometimes see this public game of psychology between rival managers.
0:10:26 > 0:10:27We're used to this.
0:10:27 > 0:10:29Do you and Tom Watson have any use for this
0:10:29 > 0:10:32kind of thing in the build-up to the Ryder Cup?
0:10:32 > 0:10:35I'm so concerned with getting our ducks in a row and preparing our team
0:10:35 > 0:10:37well for what's going to be a very difficult task that
0:10:37 > 0:10:39I don't have time for mind games.
0:10:39 > 0:10:41And I'm not clever enough to be able to think this way and also
0:10:41 > 0:10:44think over there, what on could do to maybe upset the Americans.
0:10:44 > 0:10:46No, I'm playing this a very straight bat.
0:10:46 > 0:10:48I know Tom Watson will do that too.
0:10:48 > 0:10:51He's known for his integrity in the game. I've enjoyed his company.
0:10:51 > 0:10:53I've learned a lot from being around him -
0:10:53 > 0:10:55watching him and observing him and what he does.
0:10:55 > 0:10:56He's a man of great integrity.
0:10:56 > 0:10:59He's a man who's got a great affinity with the people of Scotland.
0:10:59 > 0:11:02I know they will treat him with great respect when he comes over.
0:11:02 > 0:11:03But, ultimately, they're on our side.
0:11:03 > 0:11:07We are playing against the might of America in this Ryder Cup.
0:11:07 > 0:11:09We're going to have to pull out all the stops
0:11:09 > 0:11:10if we're going to win this Ryder Cup.
0:11:10 > 0:11:12The circus is about to unfold at Gleneagles.
0:11:12 > 0:11:14How much of this is fun for you?
0:11:14 > 0:11:19How much of it is draining and exhausting?
0:11:19 > 0:11:22None of it's exhausting, to be honest. It's a real honour.
0:11:22 > 0:11:26When your peers put you in as Ryder Cup captain, the player's committee
0:11:26 > 0:11:30and European Tour, it's a very humbling and honoured place to be in.
0:11:30 > 0:11:33The players were very vociferous in their support of me
0:11:33 > 0:11:37to be the captain. I feel duty bound.
0:11:37 > 0:11:39I feel a gravity and a bonding towards them to repay that
0:11:39 > 0:11:42and do the best job that I can do off the course in order for them
0:11:42 > 0:11:44to do a good job on the course.
0:11:45 > 0:11:48It's a stunning venue here at Gleneagles for a golf tournament
0:11:48 > 0:11:53that rarely fails to deliver, none more so than two years at Medina.
0:11:55 > 0:11:57MUSIC: Anything Can Happen by Ellie Goulding
0:12:11 > 0:12:14It was pretty frustrating for the European team, the first two days.
0:12:14 > 0:12:17Again, I think you've got to hold your hands up.
0:12:17 > 0:12:18The American boys played better than we did.
0:12:18 > 0:12:21They certainly holed more putts than we did.
0:12:21 > 0:12:23At the end of the day, that's what you've got to do.
0:12:23 > 0:12:24You've got to get the ball in the hole.
0:12:24 > 0:12:27The crowd were on their side, as you'd expect.
0:12:27 > 0:12:29I think it was pretty frustrating for everyone.
0:12:29 > 0:12:33On a personal level, I'd played OK the first two days and got no points.
0:12:33 > 0:12:34I putted particularly poorly.
0:12:34 > 0:12:38Nicolas Colsaerts were inside the American boys pretty much all day,
0:12:38 > 0:12:39and lost 1-down.
0:12:39 > 0:12:43Peter Hanson and I came up against a partnership that
0:12:43 > 0:12:44were -12 for 14 holes.
0:12:47 > 0:12:49COMMENTATOR: What a putt from Poulter!
0:12:52 > 0:12:55COMMENTATOR: Poulter is a prince for Europe.
0:12:57 > 0:13:00Poulter and Rory turned it round and they won a point.
0:13:00 > 0:13:01So did two other guys.
0:13:01 > 0:13:03To be fair, the team room on the Saturday night,
0:13:03 > 0:13:05you'd think that we were ahead.
0:13:05 > 0:13:07A lot of the players I've read have talked about that.
0:13:07 > 0:13:10Poulter talks about it a lot. We were pretty upbeat.
0:13:10 > 0:13:13We were pretty happy, to be fair,
0:13:13 > 0:13:14to only be 10-6.
0:13:14 > 0:13:16It could have been 12-4. 12-4, you're dead.
0:13:16 > 0:13:18There's no way you're coming back from 12-4.
0:13:18 > 0:13:22Jose made that point. He felt... He's a very emotional guy.
0:13:22 > 0:13:25I've never cried so much as an adult as I did that week.
0:13:25 > 0:13:28He has you in tears all the time.
0:13:28 > 0:13:31But you want that. You want someone who really, really wants to win.
0:13:31 > 0:13:33The players wanted him to be a winning captain.
0:13:33 > 0:13:35No player wanted him to be a losing Ryder Cup Captain,
0:13:35 > 0:13:37with what it's meant to him.
0:13:48 > 0:13:49I hit a beautiful chip.
0:13:49 > 0:13:51It just came out the way I wanted it to,
0:13:51 > 0:13:53and it rolled down the hill and went right in the middle.
0:13:53 > 0:13:54Then I eagled the next.
0:13:54 > 0:13:57I hit a nice 5-iron at the next to about 15 feet and holed it.
0:13:57 > 0:14:00I played lovely. I was -6 for 15 holes.
0:14:00 > 0:14:03I played beautiful golf. Best golf I played all year, to be fair.
0:14:03 > 0:14:05Sol when you have to produce that and you do,
0:14:05 > 0:14:08that's one of the most satisfying 15 holes of my career.
0:14:21 > 0:14:23Justin Rose, I mean, how he won that game...
0:14:23 > 0:14:25I've watched it so many times
0:14:25 > 0:14:28and there's no way he should beat Mickelson on that day, but he did.
0:14:37 > 0:14:40Martin's pretty good under pressure. He's pretty cool, pretty calm.
0:14:40 > 0:14:42Doesn't get excited very often.
0:14:42 > 0:14:45We were reasonably confident that he would knock it in.
0:14:45 > 0:14:47But it was nerve-racking, obviously.
0:14:49 > 0:14:50What a comeback from Europe!
0:14:52 > 0:14:54When Kaymer's putt went in,
0:14:54 > 0:14:56the relief you could see on Oli's face when it went in.
0:14:56 > 0:14:58The relief was just incredible.
0:15:02 > 0:15:04I could do with a beer.
0:15:04 > 0:15:07I'm not a big drinker, but obviously the party was good fun.
0:15:07 > 0:15:11It went on a rather long time. I don't think anyone went to bed.
0:15:11 > 0:15:13A lot of the boys were obviously...
0:15:13 > 0:15:14Seve was in our thoughts a lot for the week.
0:15:14 > 0:15:17He was on the shirt the final day, he was on the golf bag all week.
0:15:17 > 0:15:21Him and Oli were obviously very close, had a great partnership.
0:15:21 > 0:15:24So I'm sure Seve was looking down and quite enjoying
0:15:24 > 0:15:26what was happening on the Sunday.
0:15:28 > 0:15:30This will be the just the second time the Ryder Cup
0:15:30 > 0:15:32has been played on Scottish soil.
0:15:32 > 0:15:36In 1973, Muirfield played host to a strong American team
0:15:36 > 0:15:39featuring Nicklaus, Palmer and Trevino.
0:15:40 > 0:15:43The British and Irish side contained two Scots -
0:15:43 > 0:15:46Brian Barnes and Bernard Gallacher,
0:15:46 > 0:15:48as well as two-time major winner Tony Jacklin.
0:15:49 > 0:15:52In a close contest the home side built up an early lead,
0:15:52 > 0:15:54but couldn't hold on
0:15:54 > 0:15:58and the USA eventually won by 19 points to 13.
0:15:58 > 0:16:00But Scotland's ties to the tournament go back
0:16:00 > 0:16:01a lot further than that.
0:16:01 > 0:16:05This is a fascinating freeze here inside Gleneagles Hotel
0:16:05 > 0:16:09depicting the story of golf played at this resort.
0:16:09 > 0:16:12What is really interesting is an international match
0:16:12 > 0:16:13played in 1921
0:16:13 > 0:16:17between British professionals and American professionals.
0:16:18 > 0:16:23It's regarded as the precursor to the Ryder Cup as we know it today.
0:16:23 > 0:16:26It was an informal friendly match that planted
0:16:26 > 0:16:29a seed for transatlantic combat.
0:16:29 > 0:16:30The British team won 9-3.
0:16:30 > 0:16:33Gleneagles Hotel hadn't been completed yet,
0:16:33 > 0:16:36so they had a few drinks down in Auchterarder that night.
0:16:36 > 0:16:38As many of us do when we have great golfing days,
0:16:38 > 0:16:40they talked about doing it against some day.
0:16:41 > 0:16:45On the British team, you had James Braid, the course designer,
0:16:45 > 0:16:49you had Harry Vardon, JH Taylor.
0:16:49 > 0:16:52I think between the British team who played in 1921, there was
0:16:52 > 0:16:5420 major championships between them.
0:16:54 > 0:16:58I think the origins of professional golf
0:16:58 > 0:17:02between America and Great Britain started here.
0:17:02 > 0:17:05The Gleneagles Hotel was opened in 1924.
0:17:05 > 0:17:06This is their 90th anniversary year.
0:17:06 > 0:17:09But things were a little bit different in 1921.
0:17:09 > 0:17:12The Americans were given a fine, hospitable welcome of five
0:17:12 > 0:17:16Watlass railway carriages on a siding at Auchtermuchty.
0:17:16 > 0:17:20So a little bit different to the Ryder Cup of today, shall we say?
0:17:22 > 0:17:25They certainly didn't have the most glamorous accommodation,
0:17:25 > 0:17:28but when they came to the King's and saw the course before them,
0:17:28 > 0:17:31they swiftly forgot about their accommodation.
0:17:31 > 0:17:33Do you know what? You don't need to worry about the players
0:17:33 > 0:17:35during arduous Ryder Cup week.
0:17:35 > 0:17:38Many of them will be billeted here at the luxurious,
0:17:38 > 0:17:40sumptuous five-star Gleneagles Hotel.
0:17:40 > 0:17:42One of the greatest hotels in the world.
0:17:42 > 0:17:46But it's not just the fact of the hotel that makes Gleneagles
0:17:46 > 0:17:47an important Ryder Cup venue.
0:17:47 > 0:17:51A whole infrastructure has had to be put in place to make sure
0:17:51 > 0:17:54these 2014 matches are a success.
0:17:54 > 0:17:55I mean, it's a huge project.
0:17:55 > 0:17:56By the time the Ryder Cup comes,
0:17:56 > 0:17:59there'll be over 7,000 working staff working on the project.
0:17:59 > 0:18:02Over 250,000 people are expected during the week of the Ryder Cup.
0:18:02 > 0:18:04We're almost creating a little mini village here.
0:18:04 > 0:18:06It's taken the best part of three months to create
0:18:06 > 0:18:09and it will take two months to take down.
0:18:09 > 0:18:12What makes it so special, the Ryder Cup, is the atmosphere here on site.
0:18:12 > 0:18:15When that first ball is struck on the first day on the first tee,
0:18:15 > 0:18:17everyone wants to be there. It is a special place to be.
0:18:17 > 0:18:19We've created a wonderful amphitheatre
0:18:19 > 0:18:21for the spectators to enjoy.
0:18:21 > 0:18:25So in order find the key to making birdies on the PGA Centenary,
0:18:25 > 0:18:29I headed out on to the course for some much needed tips
0:18:29 > 0:18:33in the company of Gleneagles head professional Andrew Jowett.
0:18:33 > 0:18:37I think the main key is accuracy off the tee.
0:18:37 > 0:18:39A lot of the time if you can be playing from the short grass,
0:18:39 > 0:18:42that's going to give you a big advantage in feeling comfortable
0:18:42 > 0:18:44with those approach shots.
0:18:44 > 0:18:46Some of the rough can be quite penal,
0:18:46 > 0:18:48so, yeah, you really want to be making sure
0:18:48 > 0:18:50that you're finding the short grass off the tee.
0:18:50 > 0:18:53That gives you the opportunity to capitalise with those approach shots.
0:18:55 > 0:18:57Right, Andrew, we're on the 18th tee.
0:18:57 > 0:19:02It seems to me a great, closing theatrical hole for the spectators.
0:19:02 > 0:19:04It's a really exciting, reachable par-5.
0:19:04 > 0:19:06Very much risk and reward.
0:19:06 > 0:19:09If you don't find the fairway, that rough is pretty penal out there,
0:19:09 > 0:19:11so you're not going to have the opportunity
0:19:11 > 0:19:14to reach the green in two. Then, from there, for those top players,
0:19:14 > 0:19:17they're going to have anything from maybe a hybrid
0:19:17 > 0:19:19to a long iron into the green.
0:19:19 > 0:19:23The green is an exceptionally small target. Very narrow.
0:19:23 > 0:19:24Very long front-to-back,
0:19:24 > 0:19:27so it can make a big difference in what club you're choosing to hit.
0:19:27 > 0:19:30Depending on how difficult they want to make the pin position,
0:19:30 > 0:19:33there's plenty of options for them there.
0:19:34 > 0:19:37Get in. Get in! Get in! Ahhh, too good for me.
0:19:37 > 0:19:40Have you had any of the top guys coming to you for tips?
0:19:40 > 0:19:43Obviously, Paul McGinley's well renowned for being
0:19:43 > 0:19:47very comprehensive in his planning. Have you chatted to him?
0:19:47 > 0:19:50I've been fortunate enough to be in a couple of meetings with him.
0:19:50 > 0:19:53I'm sure he'll keep his cards relatively close to his chest
0:19:53 > 0:19:56until the teams are finalised, but I would have thought that
0:19:56 > 0:19:59the golf course, from a set-up point of view, will be very similar
0:19:59 > 0:20:02to how it is in the Johnnie Walker Championships.
0:20:02 > 0:20:05Having played the course, I can testify
0:20:05 > 0:20:09just how good the condition is, but the great unknown in Scotland,
0:20:09 > 0:20:12as always, is the weather.
0:20:12 > 0:20:15The staff at Gleneagles have done all they can to prepare.
0:20:15 > 0:20:18We've installed an awful lot of drainage.
0:20:18 > 0:20:20We've been doing a lot of work with the upper profiles
0:20:20 > 0:20:23and with a lot of sand top dressings, the fairways.
0:20:23 > 0:20:27We've installed 41km of land drainage
0:20:27 > 0:20:30underneath the golf course since its original construction.
0:20:30 > 0:20:33We've installed a sub-air system into the greens,
0:20:33 > 0:20:38so we're pretty comfortable with the golf course's ability to cope
0:20:38 > 0:20:41with sensible amounts of rainfall.
0:20:41 > 0:20:44Is the climate and the weather conditions in the days
0:20:44 > 0:20:47building up to the competition itself a concern for you,
0:20:47 > 0:20:51in terms of what it might do to the surface?
0:20:51 > 0:20:53To a degree. I mean, the weather here in central Scotland,
0:20:53 > 0:20:56we could play the Ryder Cup here in July
0:20:56 > 0:20:59and have issues with the weather, potentially.
0:20:59 > 0:21:02So I try not to think about it too much.
0:21:02 > 0:21:03I can't alter what the weather does.
0:21:03 > 0:21:06I can only make sure that we've done everything we can
0:21:06 > 0:21:10in preparing the golf course to make sure that, if we do get rain,
0:21:10 > 0:21:13the golf course is able to react and cope well with it,
0:21:13 > 0:21:16and still perform to its optimum level.
0:21:19 > 0:21:22The first tee of the PGA Centenary Course here at Gleneagles,
0:21:22 > 0:21:25come Friday morning, the crowd will be gathered behind me
0:21:25 > 0:21:27for the opening shots. You ask any player -
0:21:27 > 0:21:29that opening Ryder Cup shot is
0:21:29 > 0:21:33an experience for them never to be forgotten.
0:21:35 > 0:21:37The challenge of the Ryder Cup, then,
0:21:37 > 0:21:39the ultimate test for any golfer.
0:21:39 > 0:21:42To help assess the two sides lining up at Gleneagles,
0:21:42 > 0:21:46I sat down with three of Scotland's top golf writers.
0:21:46 > 0:21:47Europe are the favourites.
0:21:47 > 0:21:51We've won seven of the last nine matches, won the last two.
0:21:51 > 0:21:54However, the American team is not as weak as some people
0:21:54 > 0:21:56are making it out to be.
0:21:56 > 0:21:58They've got major champions in their team.
0:21:58 > 0:22:01I mean, two of their wildcards, Keegan Bradley's a major champion.
0:22:01 > 0:22:04Webb Simpson's a major champion. So they're useful players.
0:22:04 > 0:22:06Don't make any mistake about that.
0:22:06 > 0:22:10If you look at the three players they have picked, Webb Simpson
0:22:10 > 0:22:13and Keegan Bradley, Keegan Bradley in particular, actually.
0:22:13 > 0:22:15They played a big role at Medinah.
0:22:15 > 0:22:17For that reason, they'll both be smarting.
0:22:17 > 0:22:20They'll both have a point to prove when they get over here.
0:22:20 > 0:22:23If there's one thing Americans like more than winning,
0:22:23 > 0:22:24it's proving a point.
0:22:25 > 0:22:29Stevie's had the best season of his career, by far, this year,
0:22:29 > 0:22:32and I think he's developed into a great player.
0:22:32 > 0:22:34There's the maturity, he's got the confidence
0:22:34 > 0:22:36and the competitive instinct.
0:22:36 > 0:22:38I think this will be the making of him in many ways,
0:22:38 > 0:22:40and I'm sure he'll relish the challenge.
0:22:40 > 0:22:44I think the fact that he's comfortable on the PGA Centenary
0:22:44 > 0:22:47Course with the good record he has, that's going to help.
0:22:47 > 0:22:49Coming off the season he's had as well,
0:22:49 > 0:22:51there's no reason that he can't
0:22:51 > 0:22:54go into this Ryder Cup feeling confident, but, yeah,
0:22:54 > 0:22:55the pressure is going to be enormous.
0:22:55 > 0:22:57'Don't go in, don't go in...
0:22:57 > 0:23:00'O-ho! What a shot!
0:23:00 > 0:23:02'What a shot from McIlroy.'
0:23:03 > 0:23:06There is some natural pairings, basically, isn't there?
0:23:06 > 0:23:09And I think the McIlroy/McDowell, and probably a Poulter/Rose,
0:23:09 > 0:23:12they've done pretty well at Medinah, in a good alliance there.
0:23:12 > 0:23:16Stevie could probably, to be honest, play with anybody.
0:23:16 > 0:23:18I don't think anybody's going to turn down the fact that...
0:23:18 > 0:23:22I actually heard rumours that Stevie might be getting looked at.
0:23:22 > 0:23:25I don't know if the guys are the same, but he might be looked at
0:23:25 > 0:23:28as a possible partner for Jamie Donaldson, a fellow rookie.
0:23:28 > 0:23:31They're known to get on very well together, and I don't think
0:23:31 > 0:23:34there would be anything wrong in putting out rookies together.
0:23:34 > 0:23:36It's hardly unprecedented.
0:23:38 > 0:23:40When it comes to the Ryder Cup,
0:23:40 > 0:23:42there's no weakness with Ian Poulter at all.
0:23:42 > 0:23:45He is inspired on that stage.
0:23:45 > 0:23:47I watched him at Medinah, and the man was just incredible.
0:23:47 > 0:23:50Watching him out on the golf course, there's just something
0:23:50 > 0:23:52about that stage that he comes alive,
0:23:52 > 0:23:55and he becomes like a major champion. He's not a major champion.
0:23:55 > 0:23:58Wow, you sound utterly convinced about that. Yeah, honestly, I mean,
0:23:58 > 0:24:01it's just incredible that there's just something about that stage
0:24:01 > 0:24:04that he loves and it brings out the best in him.
0:24:04 > 0:24:09What happens if we get this typical Scottish microclimate,
0:24:09 > 0:24:10where it's spitting with rain,
0:24:10 > 0:24:14it's a bit windy, it's dour, it's dreich?
0:24:14 > 0:24:17Does that help us or help them, or is it an equaliser?
0:24:17 > 0:24:20I had an interesting chat with Sam Torrance about this
0:24:20 > 0:24:23earlier in the year, and he told me that if the fans
0:24:23 > 0:24:26are the 13th man for Europe, the weather is absolutely the 14th.
0:24:26 > 0:24:30I can't tell you what else he said. It's not broadcastable!
0:24:30 > 0:24:34But he does want it to be bad, shall we say. Right.
0:24:34 > 0:24:38The worse, the better, because the conditions you're used to
0:24:38 > 0:24:39are the conditions you're used to.
0:24:39 > 0:24:41If it's bad, I think it'll play to our advantage.
0:24:41 > 0:24:44And, as Celtic Manor proved, this'll be the litmus test
0:24:44 > 0:24:47of the new supplier of America's waterproofs, probably,
0:24:47 > 0:24:49if it comes hosing it down!
0:24:49 > 0:24:51But no, I think if it's rainy
0:24:51 > 0:24:55and wind and whatever, let's hope it isn't,
0:24:55 > 0:24:58there's no doubt that Europe can get a wee...
0:24:58 > 0:25:00just sneak a little advantage there, certainly.
0:25:00 > 0:25:05A lot's been made of the weather, the weather potentially being bad.
0:25:05 > 0:25:07A lot's been made of the golf course not being
0:25:07 > 0:25:09everyone's favourite golf course,
0:25:09 > 0:25:12but Medinah wasn't a great golf course,
0:25:12 > 0:25:14not the best golf course in America, by far,
0:25:14 > 0:25:17but it was one of the great Ryder Cups, because of the events,
0:25:17 > 0:25:20because of the golf. So, these factors, I think,
0:25:20 > 0:25:22we don't need to pay as much attention
0:25:22 > 0:25:25to these factors as some people are making out.
0:25:25 > 0:25:29Guys, do all your heads say "win for Europe"?
0:25:29 > 0:25:31Yes, but only just.
0:25:31 > 0:25:33It will be close again, I think.
0:25:33 > 0:25:36I'll be honest, I think this'll be an American win.
0:25:36 > 0:25:38THEY GASP Oh! Yeah. Afraid so.
0:25:38 > 0:25:40I think they've been written off.
0:25:40 > 0:25:43I think they're relishing the prospect of being underdogs,
0:25:43 > 0:25:45and like Martin said, I think it'll be tight,
0:25:45 > 0:25:49but I just get a sneaky suspicion that they're going to pip us.
0:25:49 > 0:25:52Nick? It's going to be tight, I think.
0:25:52 > 0:25:56I think there's definitely... it's going to be nip and tuck.
0:25:56 > 0:25:58But I think Europe will edge it in the end.
0:26:00 > 0:26:02Bernard Gallacher knows more than most
0:26:02 > 0:26:05about the incredible highs and lows of Ryder Cup golf.
0:26:05 > 0:26:10He played eight times, making his debut as a 20-year-old in 1969,
0:26:10 > 0:26:12twice defeating Lee Trevino at Birkdale.
0:26:12 > 0:26:16And he captained Europe three times in the 1990s,
0:26:16 > 0:26:20finally tasting victory after two agonising defeats
0:26:20 > 0:26:23at Oakhill in 1995.
0:26:23 > 0:26:27The trick of the captaincy is to decide which player you think
0:26:27 > 0:26:30you should have a quiet word with, and some players that you shouldn't.
0:26:30 > 0:26:33But when you're a captain, you really do feel for the players.
0:26:33 > 0:26:36You feel for the players, you're elated with the players
0:26:36 > 0:26:38when they're doing well,
0:26:38 > 0:26:41and you actually feel for them if they're struggling
0:26:41 > 0:26:44or if they missed a putt, and so you're going through hell
0:26:44 > 0:26:47out there if you're a captain, to be honest.
0:26:47 > 0:26:51What really helped me in my third term of the Ryder Cup,
0:26:51 > 0:26:54was having the press officer from the European tour
0:26:54 > 0:26:57come with me all the time. Because I was...
0:26:57 > 0:27:00I felt I was making mistakes when I was speaking to the press,
0:27:00 > 0:27:03and it was really hurting our chances.
0:27:03 > 0:27:06And you might not think that important,
0:27:06 > 0:27:09but it's small things like that that help.
0:27:09 > 0:27:14Gallacher was captain at the 1991 Ryder Cup at Kiawah Island,
0:27:14 > 0:27:17a rowdy experience which for many marked
0:27:17 > 0:27:20a sea change in the atmosphere at the event.
0:27:22 > 0:27:25The American crowd really wanted to get involved.
0:27:25 > 0:27:29I think that was the big turning point,
0:27:29 > 0:27:31and I think since then, they have got involved, to be honest.
0:27:31 > 0:27:35Even at Medinah last year, there was a lot of rah-rah
0:27:35 > 0:27:38going on in the first tee, and it's all the way round.
0:27:38 > 0:27:41And that just seems to be what the Ryder Cup is these days,
0:27:41 > 0:27:44and you just have to accept it and get on with it.
0:27:44 > 0:27:47It's not over the top, it's not nasty,
0:27:47 > 0:27:51it's just sort of not golf. HE LAUGHS
0:27:52 > 0:27:56I think it's great that we're coming to Gleneagles,
0:27:56 > 0:27:59because apart from the golf course, we want to showcase Scotland,
0:27:59 > 0:28:02and what finer place to showcase it
0:28:02 > 0:28:06than one of the best hotels in the world, far less Scotland?
0:28:06 > 0:28:09I think all the spectators and people who come and watch
0:28:09 > 0:28:13should just come with an open mind, and just enjoy it.
0:28:13 > 0:28:17If we can have another contest like we had at Celtic Manor,
0:28:17 > 0:28:21or we had at Medinah last time, then we're in for a treat.
0:28:22 > 0:28:24So we're set to go.
0:28:24 > 0:28:27This is the natural amphitheatre around the 18th green,
0:28:27 > 0:28:29where next weekend, thousands of golf fans
0:28:29 > 0:28:31will gather for the Ryder Cup.
0:28:31 > 0:28:33If previous tournaments are anything to go by,
0:28:33 > 0:28:37Scottish golf fans are in for three days they will never forget.