Ryder Cup hero and Laureus World Sports Academy member Severiano Ballesteros, writing exclusively for www.laureus.com, says he thinks the Ryder Cup at Valhalla will be a lot closer than people are expecting.
"My heart says Europe, but it will be close."
Seve was a giant as a player before taking on the captaincy at Valderrama in 1997 when Europe beat the Americans 14½ -13½. Read more for more of Seve's comments.
• On Nick Faldo: "At the height of his playing career he was very much a loner who got on with the business of winning. Now he must be the opposite and unite his team."
• On wild cards: "Many people were calling for Darren Clarke…by going for Poulter and Casey, Faldo showed he is his own man, prepared to make what he thought was the right, not just the most popular decision, which I think is a good sign."
• On US captain Paul Azinger: ! "He is playing mind games saying Europe are so strong…he is trying to make Europe over-confident, and that is a real danger."
• On Azinger's strength: "I had some clashes with him about gamesmanship and rules in 1989 and 1991. He showed then that he was as determined to win as I was."
• On Tiger Woods: "Whether Woods will be a loss to the US team has been the subject of much debate. I think losing the best player in the world can only be a disadvantage."
