WENTWORTH, England — At least in Europe, there’s really no comparison. Which is what you would expect when comparing the Ryder Cup and the Presidents Cup. The Old World is strictly neutral when it comes to the match between the United States and the International squad. Or is it? “Not quite” is the unspoken reality. Most European Ryder Cup players, while reluctant to admit any predisposition as to who will win this week in Montreal, betray themselves with knowing smiles when asked to identify their rooting preference. Or how much attention they might pay to goings on in Canada.

“Is the Presidents Cup next week?” asks former U.S. Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick. “It is? That’s a good start (laughs). The answer is absolutely zero. Because I’m on holiday. If I was at home, I wouldn’t be watching avidly, but I’d maybe pay attention to the scores. That’s about it though.”

Still, surely European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald can be relied upon to take more of an interest. And yes, the former World No. 1 does confess to at least a professional interest.

“I’ll certainly be tuning in and watching,” he says. “You can always learn something from watching match play. There are a few guys who I have to think will be part of the U.S. Ryder Cup team next year. A lot of them actually. So there is an obvious interest for me in watching how they play, what the pairings are. I’m not really looking for too many specific though, just generalities. Any deep-diving I leave to [assistant captain] Edoardo Molinari, who does all the stats. He’ll be first to know if there is anything we can glean from it all.”

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At the point, we’re looking for a bit more enthusiasm. Thank goodness for Danny Willett.

“I love golf,” says the former Masters champion. “I watch most things. So I’ll definitely be watching. It’s always interesting. America look really strong, as usual. But I think the International side is packed with good young talent. I like to watch the swings, how people win. Did they play great golf or did things just go their way? How did they play down the stretch? Is there anything I can tell a friend about what he did under pressure? I watch for any change in pre-shot routine at that stage. That sort of thing. Look, I’m a golf geek.

“I don’t root for any one side in the Presidents Cup,” he continues. “I just like to see a close match. You want it to come down to a really good last half-dozen singles. Ideally you want those to feature some of the older, more experienced guys. Or some of the young gets in an unfamiliar situation. Either way, it’s a fascinating watch.”

OK, time out. Is there anyone who hails from across the pond prepared to admit they want the Americans to win. Step forward Sepp Straka, the Austrian-born Ryder Cupper with the southern accent.

“I’ll definitely be watching,” he says. “Montreal looks like a great venue. I’ve been talking to Adam Scott the last couple of days about it. It should be interesting. I’d like to see a good match, but I have to root for America.”

Still, for all that Straka has at least a foot in the U.S. camp, he is very much the exception that proves the rule. Just ask caddie Billy Foster, who has looped for both sides in the Presidents Cup; for Tiger Woods on the American side and Branden Grace on the International team.

“The Ryder Cup and the Presidents Cup are very different animals,” says Foster, who currently works for Fitzpatrick. “As for taking an interest, I have to say I won’t. If it’s on I might take a quick look at the last few holes on Sunday evening. But nothing more. I do care who wins though. I’m an ‘International boy’ all day long. Of course, I am. There’s no point in sugar-coating it. I’ve been involved in Ryder Cups for 35 years, so of course I want America to lose. It’s inbred in me, no disrespect. I’ll be shouting for the underdogs.”

As will most Europeans …

This article was originally published on golfdigest.com