Ryder Cup: European team quotes continued

Europe are the favourites to win the Ryder Cup, which starts on Friday at Celtic Manor, but how are they feeling prior to the start of the tournament?

Team Europe have some fun ahead of practice

Edoardo Molinari

"I think it's going to be a great week. It's going to be a lot of fun and it's probably been one of most difficult teams in the history to make, and obviously you have to be very proud to be here, and we hope to be able to win the Ryder Cup back."

"I think, obviously Francesco [Molinari] and I would be an

obvious partnership. But I think any of the other ten guys on the team will be a good partner. So obviously last night we talked about it a little bit, and I mean, there are some different ideas and we will see come Friday who I will be playing with."

"We get along very well with each other since we were starting to play golf when we were 10, 11 years old, but obviously there was a little bit of competition and rivalry between each other. But I think it's done very well for us, because when you see your brother playing better, you want to improve and you want to catch him. I think that's one of the reasons why we're here this week, both of us."

Graeme McDowell

"The rough was patchy here in June. It's not patchy anymore. It's just thick. You miss fairways, you're going to be punished. If you do miss them, you deserve to miss them kind of thing. It's really, really well set up.The course has some length to it and the driving is a premium this week.You have to drive the ball in the fairway, preferably long; I know that works everywhere, but it certainly works this week, for sure."     "With the backroom staff of Thomas Björn, Darren Clarke, Paul McGinley and Sergio [Garcia], we have a great bunch of guys this week. I talked about not having the X factor in the team room two years ago in Valhalla, I really feel we have that this week. The guys are excited and up for it,and we certainly want to win the Ryder Cup back this week."

Ross Fisher

"In the players' lounge, we have got a PS3 console with the footie on, so a few of us have had a couple of games on there. There's a great jukebox there, so a lot of the wives have been putting some music on in the evenings. We had a good fun quiz last night after dinner. There was a great speech from the Welsh rugby guy, Gareth Edwards he gave a phenomenal speech, talking about his Welsh team, playing for the Lions, quite inspirational."

Martin Kaymer

"We had a phone call from Ballesteros, and to listen to his speech, and to Gareth's [Edwards] speech, I think they are very, very important, if you really listen, and if you try to get as much out of it for yourself as possible. Because those are not only athletes; they are legends. And first of all, I think for me, it's a great pleasure, first of all, to be part of that, to be in one room with them, to be able to talk to them and to listen to them."

The leading website from the world’s oldest golf magazine, we’re the go-to destination for amateur and keen golfers alike who are keen to up their golfing game. As well as expert course reviews, news and tips to improve your handicap our golf-focused travel content will help you pair teeing off with your travels in some of the best destinations around the globe.