Gianfranco Zola has opened up on being part of Team Europe’s Ryder Cup victory, calling the experience ‘priceless’.
The Italian served as vice-captain Francesco Molinari’s buggy driver throughout the three-day event as the Europeans successfully defended their title at Bethpage Black in New York.
Zola had a front-row seat for plenty of drama, as Luke Donald’s team survived a final-day comeback from Keegan Bradley’s USA to retain the Ryder Cup by a score of 15-13.
In his playing days, the Chelsea great picked up several trophies, winning two FA Cups, a League Cup and a UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup.
But it seems Zola enjoyed his role in the iconic golf tournament every bit as much as all of his footballing achievements.
Appearing on Friday’s talkSPORT Breakfast, the 59-year-old admitted it was a dream come true to be up close and personal with Europe’s stars at the prestigious golf tournament.
When asked about the tournament, Zola replied: “Well for me they were not three days.
“They were the whole week and I can tell you it was like a 10-year-old boy fulfilling a dream.
“Spending a week with these guys. It was priceless.
“It was an unbelievable experience and I got to know them in many different ways.
“I got to know the way they practice, the way they spend their time. It’s been amazing honestly. I really enjoyed it.”
A keen golfer himself, Zola took full advantage of the opportunity to watch the sport’s top talent at the peak of their game.
GettyZola’s friendship with Francesco Molinari dates back to his stint as West Ham manager between 2008 and 2010[/caption] Europe successfully defended the Ryder Cup for the first time since 2012 at Bethpage BlackGettyEurope had held a commanding lead for much of the Ryder Cup, and headed into the final day with a 11.5-4.5 advantage, before the USA staged a late comeback by winning six of the singles matches on Sunday.
But Zola was keen to stress just how high the standard was from both teams across all three days of the tournament.
He said: “At a certain point I was following [Tommy] Fleetwood or Justin Rose and they were unbelievable.
“They were cruising on the 16th, I think they were 11-under and it was a standard that I could not believe.
“And the Americans looked like they were playing badly – they were nine-under.
“The standards were very high and the way they performed, it was really remarkable.”
Zola was full of praise for how Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry conducted themselves after receiving toxic abuseGettyThe 45th Ryder Cup was a heated affair, with a hostile home crowd aiming constant abuse at many of the European players and their families.
Expletive-laden insults were hurled in particular at Rory McIlroy and his playing partner Shane Lowry, while the former’s wife, Erica, had a beer thrown at her.
And Zola had high praise for how all of Europe’s stars, especially the above, handled the crowd.
On the Bethpage crowd’s behaviour, he said: “It was very difficult especially because some of them were doing this while you were taking a shot, while you were taking your routine.
“And you know how important it is when you’re preparing for doing something in football, in golf in particular – you have to get into your zone and be focused. They were not allowing them to do that.
“But I have to say Rory [McIlroy] in particular, also Shane [Lowry], they were unbelievable because they kept their composure, they kept doing the shot.”
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