Sam Torrance has warned Colin Montgomerie his European team face an almighty fight to regain the Ryder Cup.

Europe have been made overwhelming favourites by bookmakers to wrestle back the trophy from the United States, after their 2008 victory at Valhalla.

But 2002 Ryder Cup winning captain Torrance believes the US will prove to be much tougher opposition than bookies believe, though he is tipping Europe to clinch a narrow victory.

He told Hawksbee and Jacobs: “Bookies make us 4-7 favourites but I really don’t believe that - you must never underestimate the Americans.

"They have got some great talent in there, a lot of length, some huge hitters. I really thing we’re going to win it but barely – it will be a real tight occasion."

Torrance also backed Corey Pavin’s decision to hand Tiger Woods a wild card, despite his miserable year on and off the course and a far from perfect record in the Ryder Cup.

"He’s the best player in the world,” added Torrance: "Tiger is a good team member – it’s rubbish to say he doesn’t enjoy it, whoever writes that doesn’t know the truth. He loves the Ryder Cup.”