Faldo promises to reveal his hand

Faldo takes Swedish mental coach

Nick Faldo has revealed that he WILL have several Ryder Cup helpers at Valhalla - but not Paul McGinley.

Faldo refused to reappoint the Dubliner as an assistant following his resignation last year but Swedish guru and mental coach Kjell Enhager is tipped to join the squad in Louisville.

Vice captain Jose Maria Olazabal will not be alone with Faldo revealing: "Be patient. Don't worry. I will be a have a couple of helpers by the time I get there. I only have to look after four matches. Wait and see."

Pants for McDowell

Graeme McDowell is hoping to fit right in at the Ryder Cup - and that includes the team uniform.

The Ulster ace, 29, tried on his official gear a few weeks ago and discovered that the pants were far too big.

Before joining his parents and his brother George on the official flight to Louisville, he said: "The trousers were about three inches too big in the waist so I've obviously lost a bit of weight since I was measured.

"They were also a bit too long so I am hoping they will be fitting a little better when I slip them on in the morning."

The players were set to pick up dozens of Ryder Cup goodies in Louisville last night, including a present from Nick Faldo.

McDowell said:  "I haven't seen the rest of the gear and that's going to be waiting for us when we get there but it's all exciting. There's going to be lots of goodies this week and all I am looking forward to right now is seeing my golf bag with my name on it."

Magnificent seven fly out

Just seven of Nick Faldo's 12 man team flew out to Louisville on the official European team flight.

The skipper was joined by vice-captain Jose Maria Olazabal, Ireland's Padraig Harrington and Graeme McDowell, Miguel Angel Jimenez,  Robert Karlsson, Soren Hansen, Oliver Wilson and Lee Westwood.

Wildcards Ian Poulter and Paul Casey, Spaniard Sergio Garcia, Swede Henrik Stenson and US based Justin Rose were already in the US.

Europe favourites in betting

Europe are the 4-6 favourites to retain the Ryder Cup and Lee Westwood believes that's only right.

Westwood said: "In everyone else's eyes we are favourites but I think over the last few years we have always considered ourselves joint favourites.

"With the number of wins we have had recently, we have always been very confident and the bookies have just caught up with our way of thinking."

The Americans are 5-4  with Ladbrokes with a tie rated a 9-1 chance.