Former Ryder Cup captain rubbishes Europe myth despite US 'miracle' - 'not even a contest'

Winning captain Paul McGinley has stated that "the myth that Europe are great at the Ryder Cup is wrong". America host this week's edition of the tournament with both teams enduring horrific results when they travel.

Europe, led by Luke Donald for the second successive time, are looking to become the first team to win on the road since the 'Miracle of Medinah' back in 2012 when the visitors came from 10-6 down on Sunday to triumph.

Since then the hosts have been dominant with Europe winning the three tournaments they've held and American landing the two on their own soil. McGinley, now the European team's strategic adviser, was the captain in 2014 when they secured a comfortable win at Gleneagles.

However, Europe have equally received fairly brutal beatings in trips to the USA. Most recently at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin when the hosts won 19-9. Four years earlier at Hazeltine, the Americans won 17-11.

Europe arrive in New York ahead of the Ryder Cup at Bethpage with many tipping them to end the wait for an away victory. McGinley, though, has underlined the extent of defeat in recent trips across the Atlantic.

READ MORE: Ryder Cup: Luke Donald warns US crowd could turn as President Trump set to attend

READ MORE: Rory McIlroy warning sent to Team USA ahead of Ryder Cup showdown

He told The Times: "There's a myth out there that Europe are great at the Ryder Cup and America are rubbish. That myth is wrong.

"The reality is both teams are brilliant playing at home and terrible on the road. And we are particularly bad. We’re worse than America. Even though we won at Medinah, which was a miracle, the other three losses in recent times have been by an average of seven points. In soccer terms that 5-0. That's not even a contest."

Donald has already looked to apply pressure on the hosts, who are paying their players to compete in what is a highly controversial move. Keegan Bradley and his 12-man side will each collect £370,000 - a huge chunk of which must be directed towards charity - while the European contingent continue to perform for free.

The European captain believes that, if the visitors take the lead, the home crowd could grow frustrated. He said: "We all know how high the ticket prices are, and it's going to be an expensive trip out for a family of four. If the US players are getting paid a stipend, or whatever it is, and they aren't performing, the New Yorkers could make them know about it."

Donald is the first captain to captain Europe is back-to-back tournaments since Bernard Gallacher in 1995. He could also become the first European captain since Tony Jacklin to win home and away Ryder Cups and insists the fire burns despite his sensational job two years ago.

"I certainly could have easily walked away a couple years ago after a great job in Rome and people were pleased," he said. "This is a great challenge. To have this opportunity, to push yourself to try to do something that’s very difficult to do, that’s pretty motivating for me. Hopefully we can do it."