Langer: Europe favourites for cup
Bernhard Langer believes Europe deserve to be favourites to win a fourth straight Ryder Cup - despite missing six members of their record-equalling side from two years ago.
Colin Montgomerie, David Howell, Paul McGinley, Jose Maria Olazabal, Luke Donald and Darren Clarke will all miss Europe's defence at Valhalla.
"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.
"If you look at all that and Tiger (Woods) 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."
