Justin Rose's behind the scenes behaviour at Ryder Cup emerges with true colours clear

Tommy Fleetwood has highlighted the crucial influence Justin Rose wields as Team Europe battles to retain the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black. Rose, 45, is embarking on his seventh Ryder Cup campaign, and he stands as one of merely two players competing this week who possess the knowledge of securing Ryder Cup triumph on American territory.

Rose and Rory McIlroy formed part of Europe's remarkable fightback victory at Medinah in 2012 - the most recent occasion when a visiting side savoured Ryder Cup glory. The former world No. 1 and US Open winner has accomplished virtually everything the sport has to offer, and his seasoned wisdom, combined with his ongoing brilliance on the fairways, will undoubtedly prove priceless resources for European skipper Luke Donald on Long Island. The Englishman embraced participating in the psychological warfare building up to the clash with the Americans.

When questioned about the influence of "old man" Rose within the European team environment during his Wednesday press conference, recently-crowned FedEx Cup winner Fleetwood revealed he regards Rose as an inspiration. "Justin has always been someone I've been close to and looked up to in the way he conducts himself, in the way he goes about his game," Fleetwood said.

"He's very much a leadership-by-example person. He doesn't need to raise his voice or speak loudly or be the motivating force in terms of that. He's there, he has plenty of words of wisdom, and he leads by example in how he prepares himself and conducts himself on the golf course.

"I feel lucky that I've been able to spend so much time with him and learn so much from being around him in terms of how he does things. Yeah, he isn't going anywhere anytime soon, I don't think."

Numerous defining moments for Fleetwood have emerged during Ryder Cup competition, notably his triumph against Rickie Fowler in Rome which secured Europe's triumph. He reflected on the significance of representing Europe and the distinguished tradition of champions who preceded him.

"I think being part of a team is really beautiful," he said. "It's something that we don't get to do week in, week out, and especially like this, where there's so much history about the Ryder Cup.

"And I think being part of Team Europe, I've always been made so aware of the legacy that is Team Europe. We're sort of carrying that right now.

"But there's a time when we won't be playing and there will be plenty of others that come after us, there's been plenty that come before us, and I think it's a privilege and a luxury that we get to do that all together.

"Being with the 11 other players, the vice captains, the captain, the backroom staff, having that support network, having those guys that make you want to be the best version of yourself ... When you're playing individually and you turn up in a c***py mood on the day, you just don't have to speak to anyone.

"You just get on with it. But I think every day when you turn up as part of Team Europe, it drives you to be the absolute best version of yourself, and whether you're playing well, whether you're playing badly, whether you're feeling tired, whether you're feeling great, you do what is best for the team and you try and give your all. I think it just brings out the best in all of us."