Butch Harmon fears European unity if US stars fail to fire

SMALL BALL GAME: Italy World Cup winner and former Juventus star Alessandro Del Piero plays his shot from the first tee during the celebrity matches ahead of the 43rd Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wisconsin. Picture:  Andrew Redington/Getty Images

Butch Harmon as had to swallow nine US defeats in the last 12 Ryder Cups, so he’s employing the reverse gaffe ploy this time around and tipped Europe to make it 10 from 13 in the hope of seeing the start of a new era of US dominance.

The Las Vegas-based coach loves the event, but he fears Europe’s special team chemistry and looking at Pádraig Harrington’s solid 12-man lineup, he believes Steve Stricker’s big stars must step up to the plate if they’re to avoid another embarrassing reverse.