"I think Europe will win at Bethpage, but I can't see a scenario where it isn't close"

Well, folks, it's almost here - the biggest and most extravagant tournament in golf, the Ryder Cup. Even though I don't have any skin in the game as an Australian, I find it captivating and I can't wait for the matches to get underway at Bethpage Black.

- Wayne Riley

If you'd have asked me six months ago who I thought would come out on top, I would have said the Americans. They have some of the best players in the world - seven of the top ten on the Official World Golf Ranking at the time of writing - and no team has won away from home since the Miracle at Medinah in 2012.

But now, I'm leaning towards Europe. I think the team is shaping up really nicely and a lot of players are rounding into form. There's plenty of experience and they have the continuity of Luke Donald as the captain, who did a fantastic job at Marco Simone last time out. It looks a team full of talent, experience and hunger and no one will be daunted by playing in front of a partisan home crowd.

While the support will be a factor, I think it's been slightly overplayed. Everyone who makes the side will know how to cope and it's worth remembering fans will come from all over America and further afield. It's not exclusively going to be New Yorkers in the gallery.