(ATR) Michael Phelps has made a comfortable living thriving in the water, however this week he did his best to avoid it.
Phelps teed it up in the pre-Ryder Cup Celebrity Match at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minnesota, demonstrating that swimming isn’t the only Olympic sport that he can succeed at.
Partnered with 11-time surfing world champion Kelly Slater, the U.S. duo trounced tennis legend Martina Navratilova and British Olympic sprinter John Regis in a nine-hole event by the score of six-up. The American celebrities team, which also included actors Bill Murray and Kurt Russell, handily defeated the Team Europe Ryder Cup ambassadors 14-0 in front of large and enthusiastic galleries.
Accompanied by a photo of himself warming up and stretching similar to at a swim meet, Phelps wrote on his Twitter account: "Had a blast representing the USA at the Pro-am for the Ryder Cup! Good luck to the squad this week!!!"
The Olympic swimming legend was also invited by Team USA Ryder Cup captain Davis Love III to address the 12 golfers that begin competition on Friday morning. The U.S pros have the unenviable task of ending Team Europe’s three consecutive Ryder Cup winning-streak.
"I think I was actually probably more nervous talking to them, nervous and excited because I am a huge golf fan and being able to see some of those guys in that room that you watch every week and you’re always amazed at what they do on the golf course," Phelps told Ryder Cup TV. "It was a privilege and an honor for me and hopefully the guys got something out of it too.
Phelps drew parallels between the individual and team aspects of both swimming and golf.
"I kind of talked about how swimming’s an individual sport, but when we come together as a team, we really do come together as a team like no other country," Phelps said of the experience. "No matter where we’re from, we’re all together. I think that’s something that’s really cool for me to be a part of."
Aiming to help defend the Ryder Cup for Team Europe are Rio 2016 Olympic gold medalist Justin Rose and silver medalist Henrik Stenson. Olympic bronze medalist Matt Kuchar is a veteran on the U.S. squad, playing his fourth Ryder Cup.
Of the 12 members playing for Team Europe, seven also competed in the first Olympic golf tournament in more than 100 years last month in Rio. Belgian Thomas Pieters was fourth in Rio, while Rafa Cabrera Bello ended tied for fifth. Expectations are high for both Ryder Cup rookies.
U.S. Olympians Rickie Fowler and Patrick Reed are members of the U.S. Ryder Cup squad, while Bubba Watson will serve as a vice-captain.
The highly anticipated three-day showdown begins at Hazeltine early Friday morning with the first of five sessions in a foursomes format.
Written by Brian Pinelli
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