The European Ryder Cup team arrived in Detroit, Michigan on Monday night to defend their title against a US team, which, on paper, looks the stronger heading into the bi-yearly event. The Americans, who lost two years ago when the Ryder Cup was last played at The Belfry in England, will field four world top-10 players to Europe's one. The Ryder Cup holders, led by European captain Bernhard Langer and his 12-man team, were met by U-S skipper Hal Sutton after their plane had landed at Detroit Metropolitan Airport on Monday night. Langer, who carried the coveted Ryder Cup through customs, has reason to believe his team can retain the trophy for the seventh time in the last 10 matches, even though the Americans again look stronger on paper. One of his captain's picks, Luke Donald, won the European Masters two weeks ago for his second victory in two months. Another player, Thomas Levet of France, won the Scottish Open in July and contended at the British Open. Padraig Harrington, the highest-ranked player in Europe, picked up his first victory of the year on Sunday at the German Masters. "We are just looking forward to that (Friday's start of the Ryder Cup). Everybody is ready for it and it is a lot of fun to to finally arrive here," said Thomas Levet, European Ryder Cup player. It has been two years since the Ryder Cup was last played - a 15-and-a-half to 12-and-a-half victory for Europe at The Belfry. The American's have won 24 times in the 77-year history of the Cup. Europe (formerly known as Britain until 1979) have won eight matches and two have been tied. The 35th Ryder Cup will run from September 17-19 and will be played at the Oakland Hills Country Club at Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. (AP)
European team arrives in US to defend Ryder Cup
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