The 2018 Ryder Cup begins on Friday morning at Le Golf National, just outside Paris.
Caddie Paul Tesori is there, where he’ll once again be on the bag for 2012 U.S. Open champion and 2018 Players Champion, Webb Simpson.
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While he’s there, Tesori will be filing photos and videos exclusively to The Caddie Network to give you a behind-the-scenes look.
SATURDAY
Paul and Webb putting in some work on the practice green at Le Golf National.
Bryson DeChambeau locked into an intense ping-pong match in the Ryder Cup USA team room.
Mr. and Mrs. Phil Mickelson in the Ryder Cup USA team room.
THURSDAY
Nice touch in the Ryder Cup USA team room, recognizing the 12 caddies that will play a huge role this week.
Captain Furyk shares stories about Lloyd Mangrum. Mangrum was on the winning side in all four of his Ryder Cup appearances. He also stepped away from the game for a time to serve the U.S. in World War II and earned two Purple Hearts after being wounded at Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge. He was also awarded to Silver and two Bronze Stars while serving in General Patton’s third army.
Said Tesori, “What an incredible man Mr. Mangrum was. And what an incredible captain Jim Furyk is.”
Paul Tesori sent us this image along with this note: “Even the clothing tags get me fired up!”
Here’s a look at the hole locations for the week at Le Golf National.
Webb Simpson working on his short game out of that tough rough at Le Golf National.
TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY
It doesn’t happen often, but it happened on Tuesday — Webb Simpson outdrove good buddy, Bubba Watson.
Those golf bags are looking good, no?
A close-up of the boss, Webb Simpson, hitting a tee shot at Le Golf National.
That’s a good looking headcover, no?
“Our pod is hitting its stride,” Tesori reports.
Another shot of Webb Simpson getting some work done in the practice round.
Tesori got this photo opportunity on Tuesday at Le Golf National with PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan.
Attention to detail is something the PGA of America has been amazing at facilitating — especially at a Ryder Cup. Check out the bottom of those sweet bags, featuring Lady Liberty. As you likely know, the Statue of Liberty was a gift from France to the United States. That’s a nice touch.
You can’t get much closer to two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson than this!
MONDAY
Here’s a look at some of the photos Tesori passed along on Monday evening, hours after he and the U.S. Ryder Cup team arrived…
That, right there, is a patch for the 1939 Ryder Cup, scheduled for Ponte Vedra Country Club in Florida — the hometown of 2018 Ryder Cup USA Captain Jim Furyk. Those matches, however, we’re never played because of World War II.
War was declared on September 3, 1939, and the British PGA immediately cancelled the match: “The PGA announce that the Ryder Cup match for this year has been cancelled by the state of war prevailing in this country. The PGA of the United States is being informed.”
Those are the nameplates and lockers for some of the celebrities and guest speakers that will be around Team USA at Le Golf National this week. Among the standouts: the most decorated Olympian of all time, Michael Phelps; actor Samuel L. Jackson; tennis champion John McEnroe; and former U.S. Ryder Cup captains Hal Sutton, Corey Pavin, Tom Lehman, Tom Kite, Ben Crenshaw and Dave Stockton.
Captain Jim Furyk’s wife, Tabitha, having a good time on the team bus with Amy Mickelson…
And, of course, what would a good time on the team bus be without some dance moves from the one and only, Phil Mickelson?
Here’s a look at what it was like rolling up to Le Golf National.
Pulling into Trianon Palace… home for the week.