Europe 'want it more', says Sky Sports legend Ewen Murray ahead of Ryder Cup

Ewen Murray is backing a united European team under "outstanding" captain, Luke Donald, to successfully defend the Ryder Cup at Bethpage later this month.

The Sky Sports lead commentator believes Donald will bring his team together in the same manner as he did in Rome, and that the captain's calmness in the heat of battle in New York will inspire his team to victory.

The common perception for many years is that the Ryder Cup means more to the European players than their American opponents, something Murray agrees that will be a prominent factor in the outcome.

There has not been an away victory in the contest since the Miracle at Medinah in 2012, but Murray is adamant that Team Europe can buck that trend and repeat their win of two years ago.

Speaking to GolfMagic, Murray said: "Does the Ryder Cup mean more to the European players than the Americans? I think it does because the Americans, historically, used to win it all the time, and it's the same in the Presidents Cup.

"And then they came up against a team that really wanted it, when GB and Ireland became Team Europe in 1979. When it was GB&I, we would have maybe six or seven really strong players and maybe five who were not so strong.

"Now that it's Europe, we’re guaranteed to have 12 strong players, but the biggest difference is in the team unity. Even when the Americans were winning, I didn't see them as a united team. I always saw them more as individuals. 

"But when Europe come to the Ryder Cup, it's a proper team. Everyone is treated exactly the same, and everyone looks at their fellow team members and see them as exactly the same. 

"I think that's one of Europe's great strengths, they become united for a week. They don't play for themselves, they play for the team. And I think the US have often had trouble doing that because the superstars of the game have mainly been American over the years.

"Europe now have some superstars in their team, but they're able to amalgamate as a team for that week. We saw Rory McIlroy crying at Whistling Straits because he felt he'd let the team down, which I don't think he did.

"So I think the unity of the European team is their great strength, as well as having 12 world-class players. The fact they're united for that week makes them a very strong proposition to play against.

"That was one of the biggest factors in Rome. You looked at that team, and every single one of them gelled."

Donald was a model of calmness and composure during that memorable week in Rome two years ago, and his demeanour is something Murray believes will have a significant impact on his team at Bethpage.

"I honestly do think Europe will win," he added. "I look at that American team and it's very good, it’s excellent. But I have a strong feeling that Europe will do the double under Luke Donald.

"I think Luke has been an outstanding captain. He's a bit like the R&A when they run The Open Championship. It all runs like clockwork and you don't see anyone racing around doing anything hurriedly.

"Luke gave me that impression in Rome, which I think is a tremendously difficult thing to do because you have emotions, obviously, as captain of that team. But he just seemed to let everything happen and all the work was done behind the scenes.

"You never saw Luke racing around like Seve Ballesteros in 1997, for instance. His buggy at Valderrama must have clocked about 80,000 miles by the end of that week!

"Luke is such a calm-natured person, like he was as a player. He's not any different as a captain to what he was the world No 1 in professional golf a few years ago.

"I think he is a very strong captain, and I think Keegan Bradley will be a strong captain. But Luke will be quieter and, with what goes on in New York, that might be a very good thing to have that calmness and a sense of tranquillity.

"And all the work will be done in the team room and away from everybody who's watching. He was very good at that in Rome. I think it was obvious in Rome that he had done a tremendous amount of work behind the scenes, but you never saw him stressed or rushed.

"I think Luke’s calmness, in what will be a noisy and intimidating atmosphere, will be a Godsend for Europe in New York. I'm really looking forward to it, and I'm looking forward to seeing Europe hoisting that famous golf trophy aloft once again."