How the Ryder Cup runneth over: Players tweet about drunken celebrations

Published on Tuesday 5 October 2010 17:59

IT IS the Holy Grail of team golf and a handy receptacle for a cheeky cocktail or three. The Ryder Cup, handcrafted in gold, took on the role of an ordinary tankard as the European team quaffed Jaegerbombs in celebration of their nerve-shredding victory over the Americans.

• Golfer Graeme McDowell takes a drink from the Ryder Cup, while Edoardo Molinari looks slightly tender en route to Edinburgh

In a scene more likely to have been witnessed at a Freshers' Week - without the addition of the priceless trophy - Rory McIlroy was photographed drinking a mixture of German beer and energy drink Red Bull, in one of the bars at Celtic Manor Resort on Monday night during an epic evening of celebration that resulted in the player writing on Twitter yesterday: "What a week!! Think I'm still drunk! Jaegerbombs out of the Ryder cup! Great banter with euros (sic) and Americans last night!"

The player also posted a picture of Tiger Woods seeking revenge for America's defeat on a ping-pong table.

Fellow player Ian Poulter tweeted: "Here it is Terry and Myself with the Ryder Cup. Come on you beauty." He earlier wrote: "The night is young, let's bring the house down friends."

A testament to the celebrations were seen in the bleary eyes of many of the players as they arrived at Edinburgh Airport yesterday in preparation for playing in the tenth Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, which takes place at the Old Course at St Andrews, the Championship Course at Carnoustie and the Kingsbarns Golf Links.

It is not the first time that McIlroy and Poulter have delighted fans with their candid camera approach to professional golf tournaments.

• Colin Montgomerie basks in the glory of job well done

Earlier in the week, Colin Montgomerie, the Ryder Cup captain had issued a blanket ban on micro-blogging. However, following a good-natured team meeting he relaxed the prohibition, but asked the privacy of other players to be respected.

When torrential rain prevented play Poulter and McIlroy posted a picture of Padraig Harrington lying on the floor, seemingly asleep, with his head rested on a holdall. Poulter tweeted: "Paddy Harrington relaxing in the changing room. Pure class."

Poulter also revealed plans to sabotage Montgomerie's speech by telling his followers that Lee Westwood had pulled a prank on Paul McGinley: "Joke of the day. Westwood set McGinleys iPhone to go off half way thru Montys speech. u should have seen the panic. Hilarious."

During the Ryder Cup, a picture of McIlroy and Ross Fisher playing the official Tiger Woods video game was also released.

While a number of players partied until the small hours, Montgomerie said he retired just after midnight as did Sandy Jones, the chief executive of the PGA.Mr Jones said he was delighted the players had something to celebrate, adding: "Things like Twitter and Facebook are part of the modern world and the modern game and the younger players use them.

"There was a lot of celebrations last night, down in the bar, but I had an early night."