What Justin Rose is doing behind the scenes at Ryder Cup has Tommy Fleetwood in no doubt

Tommy Fleetwood has highlighted the crucial part Justin Rose is playing as Team Europe battle to retain the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black. Rose, 45, is embarking on his seventh Ryder Cup campaign, and he stands as one of only two players in this week's squad who understand what it requires to claim glory on American turf.

Rose and Rory McIlroy were integral to Europe's remarkable fightback triumph at Medinah in 2012 - the most recent occasion a visiting side savoured success. There are precious few accomplishments in the game that the former world No. 1 and US Open winner hasn't secured, and his seasoned wisdom, combined with his ongoing brilliance on the fairways, are certain to prove priceless resources for European skipper Luke Donald on Long Island.

The Englishman has also embraced engaging in the psychological warfare building up to the clash with the Americans. Fleetwood was quizzed about the influence of "old man" Rose within the European team environment during his press conference on Wednesday, and the recently-crowned FedEx Cup winner made clear that 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.

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"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 occurred 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. 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," he said.

"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.

"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."