CHELSEA legend Gianfranco Zola has swapped football for fairways after he sensationally landed a role as part of Team Europe at the Ryder Cup.
Zola, 59, has jetted out to Bethpage Black to join the Europeans in their quest to retain the trophy, despite his background being in bagging goals and not sinking putts.
GettyGianfranco Zola has been enlisted by Team Europe vice-captain Francesco Molinari to be his designated buggy driver at the Ryder Cup this week[/caption]
Zola was even part of the official Team Europe photo
GettyZola made over 300 appearances for Chelsea[/caption]
The Italian, who retired from football after a glittering career back in 2005, has been enlisted as the designated buggy driver for Europe vice-captain Francesco Molinari.
Molinari will have the former Chelsea and Napoli goalscorer drive him around the Black Course all week as he watches the European team take a swing at glory.
The 42-year-old, who is a West Ham fan, struck up a friendship with former Hammers boss Zola years ago and the pair have been regular playing partners ever since.
Zola isn’t too shabby on the course either, boasting a single-figure handicap and playing in a host of high-profile Pro-Ams over the years.
But it’s his experience of playing under immense pressure and on the biggest stage that could be the most important thing for Team Europe in Farmingdale this week.
Zola has already offered up advice on how to deal with the hostile atmosphere from the US fans, something footballers are far more used to than golfers.
Speaking to Sky Sports this week, he said: “First of all, you have to absolutely be able to enter into a kind of protection bubble.
“This is one of the first things you need to learn if you play football, because sometimes the environment can be like that [against you].
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Europe has dominated the prestigious competition in the 21st century, winning eight of the 11 meetings since 2002.
But only two of those wins have come in the United States, with Team USA winning both the 2021 and 2016 competitions.
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“So you have to use it to your advantage and you have to get motivated by that.
“I’m sure, from what I’ve seen, they look easy. So it should not be a problem”.
Zola’s football career saw him make 750 professional appearances, earn 35 caps for the Italian national side and lift the Serie A title, two FA Cups, one League Cup and the Uefa Cup.
He now hopes to have a hand in earning Team Europe their 16th Ryder Cup and their first on foreign soil since 2012.
GettyZola got to know Molinari while he was West Ham manager[/caption]
The retired footballer is an avid golferGetty Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
