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Paul MGinley has questioned the wisdom of American Ryder Cup captain Davis Love III's claim that his side are 'the best golf team maybe ever assembled'.
In an interview on Friday, Love said: "We're a great golf team. This is the best golf team maybe ever assembled. If we just go play our game ignore the noise, work hard, do your job, everything else will take care of itself."
2014-winning captain McGinley was said by many to have set the template for what a Ryder Cup captain should be and he believes Love's comments could backfire - and are probably incorrect.
"It's going to have a big galvanising affect on the European team," he told the Golf Channel.
"I find it strange positioning. There's always a jockeying going on as to who's favourite and who's the underdog. Davis has taken that off the table now.
"It puts a lot of pressure and does corner his team to a large extent but maybe that's his plan ... But if it doesn't work out, there'll be a lot of questions about that comment.
"Statistically, it [Love's claim] doesn't add up. And also, the form of the players is not particularly good, outside of Dustin (Johnson). Form or world ranking doesn't suggest this is the best team ever assembled.
"I know what Davis is trying to do. He's trying to show confidence in his team, and there's no doubt that's an important facet... but there's ways of saying it, and respecting your opponent is very important."
The current US team has won a combined 11 majors while the 1981 team, for example, had claimed a whopping 49 by the start of that edition of the Ryder Cup.
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