Ryder Cup

Jack Nicklaus is backing America to win back the Ryder Cup - because, he says, "I just believe we have better players."

If Nick Faldo is looking for some words to motivate his team as they try for a fourth successive victory, those seven by Nicklaus might just do the trick, and if not those, then maybe these by another former American great Johnny Miller.

He comments of the United States side: "Even without Tiger they should win easily."

For the first time in history Europe, winners by a record nine points in the last two matches, parade 12 players who are all in the world's top 50.

Paul Azinger cannot say the same about his side. Wild cards Chad Campbell and JB Holmes are currently ranked 53rd and 55th. They are also, of course, without Tiger Woods.

Writing in the American magazine "Golf Digest" Nicklaus states: "Tiger won't be playing in the matches this year, of course. If he were, I'd consider the Americans big favourites.

"I still think they will win. I just believe we have better players. Europe has a lot of good players and a host of very promising young guys. But who among them has a great record?

"It isn't like the 1987 European team that had (Seve) Ballesteros, Faldo, Sandy Lyle, Bernhard Langer, Ian Woosnam and Jose Maria Olazabal.

"We probably didn't give them enough credit at the time, but history has proved those guys were great players. It was no accident they won. But there's no reason the US team should lose the Ryder Cup at Valhalla."