Pádraig Harrington learned from Bernhard Langer.

In 2004, those in charge of the Ryder Cup informed both teams that they would not have to give fans any autographs.

While the Americans adhered to this requirement, the German captain Langer instructed his players, including the Irishman Harrington, to do exactly the opposite: to contact the fans as often as possible, to fulfill every request for a signature.

The "Euros", who had gone into this prestigious duel as a blatant underdog, defeated the American hosts in Michigan with a result of 18½: 9½, the highest victory of the alleged “underdogs” to date, both at home and at home away.

Cheese hats and special clothing

Fifty-year-old Harrington revived this successful concept at the 43rd edition in Whistling Straits in Haven, Wisconsin.

On the second day of training he tried to win over the American fans for his team at least a little with a charm offensive.

Because of the Covid restrictions, autographs are not allowed this time, but the Dubliner came up with something.

On Wednesday morning his twelve European players and their caddies came out with huge cheese hats, which they then threw into the enthusiastic audience.

In addition, the "Team Europe" wore green and yellow striped clothing.

After the homage to the state of Wisconsin, which is famous for its dairy products - a homage to the football team of the Green Bay Packers, who are at home around a hundred kilometers north of the thousand-souls village of Haven and compete in these colors.

“Our supplier wanted to bring something Irish into play for me.

But I said to myself why shouldn't we do something for Wisconsin. "

Harrington even went a step further: “So far I've been a fan of the New England Patriots, but from now on I'm one of the Packers.” Obviously it worked: “The US fans are just brilliant so far, at least until now.

They wished me all the best, not everything, but a lot of good.

That's really nice because that hasn't always been the case, ”said Ian Poulter.

The 45-year-old Englishman was on the team 17 years ago, as were his teammates this year Lee Westwood (48 years old), Paul Casey (44 / both England) and Sergio Garcia (41 / Spain).

In contrast, there is no longer a single player in “Team USA” who was part of the game at Oakland Hills Golf Club at the time.

Former Primus Dustin Johnson is the oldest in the much younger "Team USA" at 37 years of age.

But experience is also the only point that speaks for the guests.

"Everything speaks against us"

The Americans send eight players into the competition who are among the top ten in the world rankings.

Apart from the Spanish world number one Jon Rahm there is no other European in this select group.

While the average ranking for Americans is nine, it is 31 for Europeans.

Therefore, Rory McIlroy believes that the successful title defense in Whistling Straits would be an even bigger coup than the "Miracle of Medinah" in Illinois in 2012, when the "Euros" turned 4:10 behind the foursome into a 14½: Converted 13½ win.

“Winning the Ryder Cup away from home is even more meaningful.

But if you look at the world rankings, everything speaks against us, ”added the 32-year-old Northern Irishman.

An astonishing statement, because Europe won seven of the last nine duels, most recently in France clearly with 17½: 10½ - and even then the Americans were rated higher.

Nevertheless, Captain Harrington also emphasizes the underdog role of his twelve professionals.

He tried to boost their self-confidence by having a short film made together with the European Tour, which he showed his players on Monday evening after arriving in the team room and which was then published on Twitter.

This short strip is all about the number 164.

So few professionals have played for teams from Great Britain and Ireland as well as Europe (since 1979) since 1927, much less when they climbed Mount Everest (more than 5000), even less than circled in space (570) - and even more professionals won one of the four modern majors (229).

"We belong to an absolute elite", McIlroy supported his captain, who spreads optimism in all arguments against his selection: "The course plays like a real links course." And as on these traditional coastal courses in Scotland and Ireland usually blows a strong wind over Lake Michigan, on Wednesday even with gusts of up to 55 kilometers per hour.

“It takes a little wind to make golf interesting on such courses.

Then you have to keep the ball flat, ”added Harrington.

But there was something else that reminded Harrington and his compatriot Shane Lowry, the 2019 British Open winner, of their Irish homeland: the temperatures, which were only between twelve and 16 degrees on Wednesday: "It was like a beautiful Irish summer's day," said Ryder Cup freshman Lowry the day.