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This year’s Ryder Cup came to a culmination yesterday as hosts Europe retained their title as champions in the famous golfing tournament to beat the USA 16 ½ - 11.5 ½ after a weekend of action at Gleneagles in Scotland.

To celebrate the triumph, we’ve collated a special My shots playlist featuring golfing greats from Europe as a tribute to the winners with some entertaining work from companies in the UK. The campaigns feature a selection of famous names and faces for a mix of brands associated with the sport and show that the marketing is as good as the golf from the creative companies involved.

Culture clash

Last week saw the build-up to the big event dominating the headlines with mind games and media interviews drumming up the excitement ahead of Friday morning’s big tee off. WCRS London got amongst it by releasing this funny branded short addressing the differences between European and American cultures. Featuring British presenter, writer and comedian Clive Anderson taking a trip to Gleneagles with former Whose Line is it Anyway? colleague and American funny man Greg Proops, the piece follows the pair as they share a car to the famous sporting venue. Directed by Simon Cole via HSI London, the entertainment pulls no punches before they finally reach their destination and the work was created to promote BMW’s sponsorship of the tournament.

Political power

In the past year or two, bookmaker Paddy Power has proved that it isn’t afraid of being controversial by addressing touchy subjects in its advertising and marketing strategy. The latest is the inclusion of UKIP leader Nigel Farage to front its branded film for The Ryder Cup which adopts the style of a political party broadcast to coincide with the tournament. Released on Friday (26 September) the work has provoked mixed reactions – which you can read more about here – and makes our My shots playlist for its entertainment and comedic value. The work was created by Mischief PR and sees the politician declaring his love for Europe in tongue-in-cheek fashion on the golf course.

Perfect Poulter

Another of Europe’s animated personalities and key player on the European team, Ian Poulter, kept his unbeaten singles record at the Ryder Cup intact with a battling half against Webb Simpson at the weekend. We already knew all about his ability on the course thanks to a stunt he performed for Stella Artois back in July titled The Perfect Cut. In the branded video created to promote The Open Championship and the beer’s partnership with the event, Poulter is seen playing keepy uppy with a ball before placing a pint on the grass and swinging to cut its head in a brilliant stunt for the brand performed in one take.

Driving on

Known for his eccentric fashion taste (Poulter owns his own golfing brand, IJP Design) the golfer also featured in an ad recently to promote PUMA sporting gear. In Chris Balmond’s spot, he appears on the course to advertise the latest Arsenal shirt for season 14/15 which also marked a new deal between the club and brand. The ad sees a group of Gunners fans rowdily supporting the star as he drives onto the green and makes the perfect putt and the campaign was produced by Outsider London.

Rory and the robot

Turning the focus to Europe’s man of the moment, Rory McIlroy, in another entertaining video through Saatchi & Saatchi London created for The European Tour, the star meets his match in an obnoxious robot. Challenged to a driving range shootout, the film brings out the Irishman’s good sportsmanship and is directed by Kelvin Hutchins to bring our golfing special to a close.

To view all the spots in our My shots Golfing Greats playlist click here.

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