WORKING CLASS HEROES

Forget about the private jets... Mcllroy reveals European winners bonded over tales of their humble beginnings

- NEIL McLEMAN

RORY MCILROY revealed Europe's Ryder Cup heroes bonded over their shared humble upbringings which gave them the drive to succeed.

The world No.2 has won more than £66million on the PGA Tour and flew home to Florida from Rome on his private jet.

But the Northern Irishman's dad, Gerry, worked as a cleaner and barman and his mum, Rosie, did extra night shifts in a Belfast factory to help pay for his golf education. Luke Donald got his 12 players talking and sharing around a firepit on a team trip to Rome - and they returned to the Italian capital to reclaim the Ryder Cup from the USA (inset above).

Europe's top scorer was renamed Rocky Mcllroy by team-mates for his clashes with the American camp.

But he has had to fight his way to the top, and other golf superstars are the same.