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Europe not distracted by favourites tag - Fisher

Ross Fisher will make his Ryder Cup debut at Celtic Manor © Getty Images

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Ross Fisher insists the pressure of being the favourites will not distract the European players in their quest to win back the Ryder Cup from USA this weekend.

The USA team, led by captain Corey Pavin, landed in Wales on Monday as the defending champions, but despite the presence of four of the top five players in the world in the American team, it is the home side who are widely considered the favourites.

And Fisher believes every member of Colin Montgomerie's team is all fired up to claim a fourth victory in eight years at Celtic Manor.

"Everyone is talking about us being the favourites; if we are the favourites then great, but it doesn't bother me," Fisher told Sky Sports News. "I know that we have got a very strong team and I know that all the guys on the team want to win the trophy back. Having said that the Americans have got a strong team and they are going to try and keep the Ryder Cup."

Fisher is one of six European players making his Ryder Cup debut this weekend, but the world No. 27 insists he will not be overwhelmed by the large crowds at Celtic Manor.

"I feel like I am quite strong mentally," Fisher said. "I have been up there in major championships which is the pinnacle for our individual profession, but [the Ryder Cup] is way up there with the highest accolade you can achieve as a professional golfer, to represent Europe in the Ryder Cup.

"Hopefully [the crowd] will be the 13th man, we have got a very strong team and obviously being at home is a massive advantage. Hopefully we can get the crowd on our side and I think they will play a vital role and hopefully we can keep the trophy this side of the pond."

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