US better on paper, but European easy Ryders waiting in long grass

THERE has not been a European winner of a major championship since Paul Lawrie at Carnoustie in 1999.

They are heavily outnumbered by their American cousins in the world rankings. And with the bookmakers they are distant outsiders.

Yet for all such damning statistics, confidence is not in short supply in the European Ryder Cup camp as the build-up continues to the September 17-19 showdown at Oakland Hills.