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Danny Willett not happy with brother

Rory McIlroy recalled a fond first meeting with Darren Clarke while celebrities took to the course at Hazeltine.

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Danny Willett's brother stole the headlines for the wrong reasons just two days out from the Ryder Cup.

Pete Willett, sibling of the Masters champion, may wish to keep a low profile at Hazeltine after writing some inflammatory comments about United States golf fans ahead of the prestigious team competition.

Meanwhile, there was some light-hearted fun on the European Team's official Twitter account from Justin Rose, Matt Fitzpatrick and Henrik Stenson - the latter also left impressed by a certain "Magician Impossible".

Below, we take a look at some of Wednesday's talking points in the build-up in Minnesota.

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PISSY BEER AND A BAYING MOB OF IMBECILES

Back when Danny Willett won the Masters in April, his brother Pete was all over the news for providing a running commentary of his sibling's triumph on Twitter.

On this occasion, Danny may not be seeing the funny side after Pete stoked the fires between Europe and USA in an ill-advised article in the National Club Golfer.

Among his comments, Pete Willett referred to American fans as a "baying mob of imbeciles" and stated Europe need to "silence the pudgy, basement-dwelling, irritants, stuffed on cookie dough and pissy beer, pausing between mouthfuls of hotdog so they can scream 'Baba booey' until their jelly faces turn red".

Needless to say Darren Clarke was none too pleased and, according to the European skipper, neither is Danny Willett, who is apparently set to have a word with his brother. Oh, to be a fly on the wall in that conversation...

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THE BEST DRESSED? YOU'RE LOOKING AT HIM

Away from a potential family squabble, the European Ryder Cup Twitter account posted an amusing "team-mate questions" feature involving Fitzpatrick, Rose and Stenson.

The undoubted star was the ice-cool Swede, the reigning Open champion, who Rose and Fitzpatrick agreed is the funniest member of the team, while Stenson said vice-captain Ian Poulter takes that honour but only while he is "on a lunchbreak".

Stenson lived up to Rose and Fitzpatrick's billing by responding to questions about who has the highest IQ and who is the best dressed by staring dead pan at the camera and responding "you're looking at him".

THAT'S MAGIC!

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Staying with Stenson, the 40-year-old also addressed the media ahead of the start of Friday's play and he was left equally awestruck and annoyed by his encounter with magician Steven Frayne, better known by his alias "Dynamo".

The Bradford magician, best known for his hit TV show Magician Impossible, has been wowing the European Team with his impressive array of tricks and illusions.

Of the meeting, Stenson said: "He was great, very impressive. Before I knew it, I was back in bed and I didn't even walk to my room!

"It's just impressive to see someone being that good at what they do. But at the same time, it's annoying that you can't figure out how he does it. It's a bittersweet combo, really."

MICKELSON THE PRANKSTER

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It turns out Dynamo is not the only trickster at Hazeltine this week.

In the American camp, Phil Mickelson's caddie Jim Mackay recalled a prank pulled by the five-time major champion following a minor car prang at the 1996 U.S. Open at Oakland Hills.

Mickelson, ever the opportunist, enlisted the help of a couple of police officers who informed Mackay he was being arrested for a felony hit and run, much to the amusement of the on-looking Mickelson.

HONOURING 'THE KING'

The golfing world was in a state of mourning when it was confirmed the legendary Arnold Palmer had died at the age of 87 on Sunday.

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The American, a winner of seven majors and 62 PGA Tour titles, is credited as being a huge factor in popularising golf during the advent of the television era.

Palmer was also synonymous with the Ryder Cup, winning a stunning 23 points throughout his illustrious career and captaining the team on two occasions.

And fans have been encouraged to pay homage to the man known affectionately as 'The King'.

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