Padraig Harrington says whether the United States or Europe should be the favorites to win the Ryder Cup at Bethpage

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The upcoming Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black promises to be one of the best sporting events of the year.

Golf fans have already been treated to so many exciting tournaments, not least Rory McIlroy winning The Masters, but this could top the lot.

Europe won the last Ryder Cup in Rome by a significant margin, but the United States will be motivated to get revenge.

Former European captain Padraig Harrington has decided which team should be the favorites to win at Bethpage Black.

• READ MORE: The 11-time PGA Tour winner who slammed the Ryder Cup as ‘the most overblown thing’ he has ever been involved with

Padraig Harrington thinks the United States are Ryder Cup favorites

Most people would agree that the United States should be the favorites because home advantage at the Ryder Cup is so important.

However, others believe that Luke Donald has a better squad than Keegan Bradley, spearheaded by Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, and Tommy Fleetwood. Well, what does Harrington think?

“I think the European team is very strong and in great form, and I think that gives them a great chance,” he said at the Irish Open.

“I think the US team are slight favorites based on home advantage, but I really do think Luke is bringing a very strong team over there.

“They’re going to be well prepared and will give Europe every chance to win away from home, which is clearly very difficult to do, but I think it’s going to be a good match. I think it’s going to be close.

“Yeah, I’d still put us as… I think Luke would say, give them the slight edge because of home advantage, but it will be close.”

Padraig Harrington disagrees with US players getting paid for the Ryder Cup

It hasn’t been discussed much lately, but one of the biggest talking points at the Ryder Cup is that the United States players will be paid.

Padraig Harrington was outspoken with his criticism of the decision when it was announced late last year.

“Look, $400,000 is an awful lot of money, I’m not doubting that,” he argued. “But for these guys, it was very poor PR for that, for $400,000. They don’t need it, and they’re getting terrible PR, so why do it?” Harrington said.

“If they wanted to be responsible and do something, they should have asked, ‘We’d like to have a member have a say in where the money goes.’

“I wouldn’t know the ins and outs, but the Tour has joined with the PGA of America. I believe that the Tour gets $11m or something, so the players are getting paid, just like in Europe.

“The money is going to run the tour and help with the tour behind the scenes. So for $400k, I just think it’s bad publicity.”