In what amounts to a classic piece of reverse psychology, European Ryder Cup captain Pádraig Harrington has claimed that the US team will need to deal with the “pressure and stress” of being heavy favourites to reclaim the Ryder Cup in front of what is set to be an overwhelmingly partisan crowd when the matches get under way on Friday.
Travel restrictions mean European fans are virtually absent from Whistling Straits this week, bar a few thousand who are based in the United States and have made the journey to Wisconsin. The lack of away support has only added to the feeling that the host nation, who are already strong favourites – currently trading at 1-2 with Betway – will win the day.
Employing a well rehearsed bit of pre-fight talk, Harrington has suggested 40,000 Americans baying for a home win could have a different impact on Steve Stricker’s team, which includes six Ryder Cup rookies.
“Most of the focus for us coming in o these matches is the fact that the galleries will be 80-90% supporting the American team. As I’ve said all along, Europe would rather play in front of 40,000 Americans than no fans at all, but maybe when we got here it has changed a little bit. You can see that there’s expectation and pressure from the fans going the other way.
“So, there’s no doubt that the home captain has to deal with pressure and stress. But it’s not like we don’t have to deal with it, too. There’s a little bit added, but I suppose we just have to wait and see.”
Another factor that Harrington is hoping will sway the odds in his favour are the playing conditions, with forecasted cooler temperatures and a decent breeze traditionally favouring European players who are more used to adapting to inclement weather. Having said that, the performance if US players in the Open Championships over the years might dispel that urban myth.
“My players don’t need that, they’re good enough,” Harrington said, when referring to the changeable weather forecast. “They’re great ball strikers. We’re not looking for extreme windy conditions, difficult conditions, tricky conditions. We don’t mind a good solid test.
“We’re all happy that the temperature is to go up on Friday. We don’t have a problem with that. We’re relying on ourselves, not relying on outside agencies and the conditions. Maybe there is a little bit of an advantage for us if it does go that way but, as I’ve always said, we really have probably our best team ever of ball strikers. We’re not going to be hiding any players or anything like that. We are not relying on conditions to give us the edge.”
The 43rd Ryder Cup takes place from September 24-26, with coverage of all three days live on Sky Sports.