WINNY THE SHAMPOO

How Donald masterminded sensational victory... with the help of some hair product

- FROM NEIL McLEMAN at Bethpage Black

THIS was no fairy tale in New York nor a freak result.

The first Ryder Cup away win since 2012 - though too close for comfort in the end - was the product of meticulous planning and attention to detail by Luke Donald and his backroom staff.

“They deserved to win,” said US skipper Keegan Bradley. “They're a great team.

“In my eyes, Luke Donald is the best European Ryder Cup captain of all time.”

Neither of the captains had been scheduled to lead their teams at Bethpage Black.

Before the advent of LIV Golf, the combustible pairing of Phil Micklelson and Ian Poulter had seemed a dream pairing. And Henrik Stenson was appointed for Rome before joining the Saudi-backed league and giving Donald his chance.

Bradley, 39, was only appointed last year after the PGA of America failed to persuade Tiger Woods to take the job. They will try again for 2027.

But reappointing Donald (right with his winning team) for Long Island was the first step in ending home domination in the competition.

2014 captain Paul McGinley, who is the team's special advisor, said: “The first roll of all of the dice was to take back a captain who had been there before.