Langer backs Europe for Ryder Cup

2004 Ryder Cup captain Bernhard Langer is backing the 2008 European Ryder Cup team to claim their fourth consecutive Ryder Cup title next week at Valhalla Country Club.

"We've won three in a row and the last two were landslide victories. If you just go by that they have to be favourites," said Langer. "Even if you look at the world rankings now we have more Europeans higher in the rankings than in the past, we've even won majors lately thanks to Padraig Harrington.”

Langer's optimism will be welcomed by European team captain Nick Faldo, who has been weathering a storm of controversy since excluding Irish Ryder Cup veteran Darren Clarke from the team. Clarke is one of six players from the 2006 Ryder Cup winning European team who will sit out the 2008 edition of the tournament.

However, Langer was quick to point out that the favourites tag will be largely irrelevant once play gets underway at the 2008 Ryder Cup.

"If you look at all that and Tiger not being there, I would make the Europeans favourite - but what does that mean? Nothing. The Americans have been favourites for years and lost so it doesn't matter who we declare as favourites and who are underdogs - it matters who players better, who makes the putts and has more fun."