Pádraig Harrington has pledged to follow the lead of predecessor Thomas Bjørn and get a tattoo if his European team can bring the Ryder Cup back home with them this week.
Following the 17½-10½ victory at Le Golf National in 2018, Captain Bjørn had the score and trophy inked on a part of his body that is not usually in full view, fulfilling a promise he had made to his team.
Harrington did not reveal where he would have his artwork done should he have reason to celebrate come Sunday, but he has committed to getting his very first tattoo.
"I am delighted that that's all they ask for but I'd have given up a lot more," he said.
"So yes, I will be getting a tattoo. If my team produce a winning week, I will be getting a tattoo to mark the occasion, and very comfortable that they only asked that much of me because I would have given more.
A promise made. A promise kept 🖊#TeamEurope pic.twitter.com/nWp9EfRJEL
— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) December 24, 2018
"I think it's an unwritten rule, so it has come up, yes, in conversation. Maybe they didn't ask. Maybe I offered and they felt that was enough. But definitely, yeah, it's a given now in Europe. Captain has to get a tattoo.
"And I don't have any other tattoos at this stage, so it would be a new experience for me.
"Where on the body? I don't know. It depends... no, I can't go that route. Depends how long it is."
Harrington has three rookies on his team but they all bring a host of individual success on the biggest stage: Shane Lowry is a Major, World Golf Championships and Rolex Series winner; Bernd Wiesberger has claimed two Rolex Series wins; and Viktor Hovland is a two time US PGA Tour winner who claimed his maiden European Tour title this season.
The Captain is delighted with all his debutants so far this week but has been particularly impressed with Hovland, who becomes Norway's first Ryder Cup player just over two years after turning professional.
"It's hard to believe he could exceed (expectations), but he's been brilliant," he said.
"He's just great to be around. He's at the centre of a lot of the banter and fun and he's excellent I've got to say.
"We kind of knew that about Viktor but Tyrell (Hatton) was that guy in 2018 and you kind of see the personality on the golf course but his personality in the locker room is completely different.
"I wouldn't say that about Viktor but he's certainly living up to it and he's certainly the centre of a lot of the fun in the locker room.
"Bernd is very relaxed and obviously Shane is right on expectation. They're the rookies in the team. The other guys, I knew what to expect. They've been great."
