Langer backs Europeans as favourites

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.

Since losing a controversial battle at Brookline in 1999, the European team has won by three points at The Belfry in 2002 and nine points at both Oakland Hills in 2004 and the K Club in 2006.

However, the loss of form suffered by the likes of Colin Montgomerie, David Howell, Paul McGinley and Jose Maria Olazabal, plus the injury suffered by Luke Donald, has robbed Nick Faldo of almost half the successful side in Ireland.

The sixth player to miss out is Darren Clarke – the Ulsterman being overlooked for a wild card – with those six replaced by Ian Poulter and Miguel Angel Jimenez and rookies Soren Hansen, Graeme McDowell, Oliver Wilson and Justin Rose.

"I think you have to make them favourites just in light of the last few," insisted Langer ahead of the Mercedes-Benz Championship which got under way in Cologne today.

"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.

"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. It matters who plays better, who makes the putts and has more fun."

Langer did not give Faldo a complete seal of approval however, feeling the six-time major winner is "making a mistake" by not having more assistants at Valhalla next week.

Faldo originally selected Jose Maria Olazabal and Paul McGinley, only for McGinley to step down to concentrate on trying to qualify for the team.

"I think he's making a mistake by not having someone with each group," said Langer.

"I know as a captain I would like to have one person with each group and giving me information."