Montgomerie hopes to return with Ryder Cup

The European team left for the United States yesterday with the Ryder Cup.

Colin Montgomerie says he expects to come back with the Cup, too.

"For the first time I think we are going over there, not so much as underdogs," Montgomerie said as the team left London's Heathrow airport for the matches, which begin on Friday at Oakland Hills outside Detroit.

"Of course it will be difficult. Don't get me wrong. Playing away from home is always harder. At the same time, I'll be very, very disappointed if we don't bring back what we're taking with us."

Team captain Bernhard Langer was more cautious.

"They (Americans) are obviously an extremely strong team, much higher ranked than our guys," he said. "They are under a lot more pressure, I hope, than we are because we are the underdogs by all means."

In the last nine Ryder Cup matches, Europe has won five and the Americans three. The matches in 1989 were halved, but Europe kept the trophy as the defending champion. Europe beat the Americans 15 1/2-12 1/2 at the Belfry in England two years go.

Irishman Paul McGinley, who dropped the winning putt in 2002, knows it will not be easy.

Home advantage

"It's going to be tough," he said. "We had home advantage at the Belfry. It was a big help to us. They are going to have it there this weekend. That's what home advantage is all about."

Meanwhile, US Ryder Cup player Stewart Cink believes his teammates' determination to wrest back the trophy this week from Europe could have cost them large cheques at the weekend's PGA Tour event.

Cink, one of captain Hal Sutton's two wildcard picks for the biennial event at Oakland Hills, finished in a tie for fourth behind Canadian Open winner Vijay Singh on Sunday.

However, none of the other five US team players in the event graced the leaderboard with Kenny Perry being the best of the rest at tied 19th.

Funny game

"Golf is such a funny game," said Cink. "I've tried hard all week just to concentrate on this tournament and worry about the Ryder Cup later.

"I think that some of the guys here maybe were looking too far ahead to next week and that is never a good idea."

Cink was in the losing US 12 from 2002 at the Belfry, but is happy with his form and the composition of the team as they attempt to win the trophy they last held in 1999.

"I can only be pleased about my form," said Cink who closed with a 69 for a six-under total of 278 at the Glen Abbey course in Oakville.

"I pretty much know what to expect from last time. It gets so mad in the Ryder Cup, but at least I know what's coming. It's going to be a great week for sure."

Cink would not be drawn on predictions. "Anyone who doesn't admit it's 50-50 who'll win is crazy," he said.

The Ryder Cup will be played at Oakland Hills Country Club outside Detroit, Michigan, from September 17 to 19.