Lee Westwood: 'Europe are happy to be favourites'

Lee Westwood has claimed that Europe's Ryder Cup team are happy to be favourites as they prepare to defend the trophy at Gleneagles.

Ahead of the first session on Friday morning, Westwood has revealed that the label is not a burden for the hosts, who are looking for a third successive win.

"I think we're happy being favourites," the Englishman told reporters. "We've earned the right to be favourites over the years as we've been so successful, winning seven of the last nine Ryder Cups.

"With playing at home and with the strength of the team we have we probably should be slight favourites."

Westwood is playing in his ninth Ryder Cup this week.