Team Europe has long been regarded as having the upper hand when it comes to unity and cohesion, while American teams have often been criticised for being too individualistic.
This was particularly evident during the Tiger Woods years, when the golfing phenomenon seemed to exist in his own universe that made the Ryder Cup seem like an awkward fit, but even in the years since Woods’ departure, the American team has often struggled to replicate Europe’s seamless sense of unity and shared identity.
The US team has been trying to address this aspect of their play, but Rose, who has been part of multiple successful European Ryder Cup teams, believes Europe’s success comes from a long-standing identity and shared traditions, rather than simply trying to be best mates on and off the course.
“I think the US team have definitely bonded a lot more in recent years, and I think that they do have pockets of good friendships,” Rose said earlier this month.
“But I think the Americans have gotten a little bit… they think being a great team is about being best mates. I really don’t think that’s what being a great team is. Being a great team is having a kind of a real good theme and having an identity that has come from players before you, and you all buy into that vision.
“You don’t have to be having the greatest time in the world to do that. Although, inevitably, we do have a great time doing that.
“I think America have tried too hard to become a team, whereas Europe is a bit more natural and organic, and I think it comes from deeper roots in a way.”
Meanwhile, the Europeans are bracing for a hostile reception in New York, where the fans are expected to be loud and boisterous, but Rose has his own thoughts on how this factor could influence the competition.
“I think we’ve been talking about the Ryder Cup in Bethpage probably for 10 years, the anticipation of it, what it’s going to be like, how intense it’s going to be,” he added.
“New Yorkers are crazy, and I think they become sort of caricatures of themselves. I think they feel like they have to live up to that reputation. So, fully expect absolute chaos out there.
“But I’m also not sure that that’s necessarily bad either. There comes a point where it just becomes noise – the more there is, potentially, I’m hoping it fades into just chaos and noise, which actually might be easier than one or two very, very distracting targeted noises.
“So, we’ll see, but I’m expecting that too. I really don’t know, my point is I actually don’t know what to expect, but I think we have to make a mental commitment.
“I’m not going in unprepared by saying I don’t know what to expect. I’m going in saying, ‘I don’t know what to expect, but I’m willing to commit to not rising to anything, not taking the bait, willing to just accept and absorb and let things roll off your back.’ You need that resilience.
“I think that’s what we’re accepting, that you’re going to need resilience that week, 100 per cent. But who knows what it’s actually going to be like in person. It’s going to be wild.”
