Intro:

US Ryder Cup captain Tom Watson held a news conference at the Valhalla Golf Club in Kentucky to discuss next month's biennial showdown with Europe at Gleneagles in Scotland.Watson acknowledged that Europe - spearheaded by Open and US PGA champion Rory McIlroy - have the stronger team on paper.

Script:

SOUNDBITE (English) Tom Watson, USA Ryder Cup captain: (on being the underdogs).

"With that said, you look at the European team, and yes, on paper they look stronger than the American team. But our team.... they have got the motivation from 2012 that I'm going to lay on them as I've said in the past. But I think that's a great motivator."

SOUNDBITE (English) Tom Watson, USA Ryder Cup captain: (on European star power).

"Their team is.... you look at it, and you have to look at it on the basis of Rory McIlroy, Henrik Stenson, Sergio's (Garcia) had a really good year. You look at Justin Rose has had a great year, Martin Kaymer. Their team is full of star power, players that have been playing well."

SOUNDBITE (English) Tom Watson, USA Ryder Cup captain: (on defeating Rory McIlroy).

"Well, any time you beat the star, that's a very big plus from a psychological standpoint for your team."