Xander Schauffele has walked back his cocky Ryder Cup prediction that it wouldn't take anything "special" to beat Europe after coming out on top at Whistling Straits in 2021.
The USA were convincing winners as they eased to a 19-9 victory in Wisconsin. Now they head to Rome to defend their title against a freshly picked European team out for revenge on home soil.
Schauffele played down the win two years ago, saying last week that he and his teammates hadn't needed to do anything out of the ordinary to come out on top against the likes of Rory Mcllroy and Jon Rahm.
But now he seems to have changed his tune, anticipating a close fought encounter at the Marco Simone Golf and Country club. “If you look at the match-up of both sides, it’s going to be incredible," he told the Golf Channel. "The average of both sides, I think, so it’s going to be a dog fight no matter what.