Home win in Liverpool will boost European chances in Ryder Cup

That was the prediction from former captain Bernard Gallacher today as the 143rd Open Championship got under-way here on Merseyside.

Scottish golf great Gallacher captained his continent to a memorable victory on foreign soil at Oak Hill outside of New York back in 1995.

And he says current European skipper Paul McGinley has a fantastic chance of emulating that triumph at Gleneagles later on this year.

Luke Donald, Martin Kaymer, Rory McIlroy, Henrik Stenson, Justin Rose and Ian Poulter are all set to be in his 12-man team in September. But Gallacher feels it would help the European cause hugely if they had the Open champion in their ranks going into the biennial competition.

He said: "Europe already had a psychological boost with Martin Kaymer winning the US Open in such impressive style at Pinehurst last month.

"His win kind of balanced out the fact that Bubba Watson - who is set to be on the United States side - is the current US Masters champion.

"If you are a team captain it definitely helps in the locker room if you have a Major winner or even a couple of Major winners in your team.

"A lot of European players are performing extremely well at the moment. If one was to win the Open, it would give them a definite edge over the United States in the Ryder Cup. It would be massive."

Gallacher added: "I think Paul will be happy with the way his European side is shaping up. There are still a few places up for grabs of course.

"But that is what a captain wants. He wants players to be fighting for those final spots so that he can get guys who are in form on his side.

"Winning the Open would show a player is in great form and would boost his confidence and that of his team mates ahead of the Ryder Cup."

Gallacher, who is working as a commentator for Radio 5 Live at the Open, has been impressed with how United States captain Tom Watson has conducted himself.

Watson made a reconnaissance trip to the PGA Centenary course with two of his likely team members - Keegan Bradley and Jim Furyk - last weekend. But the Scot, who captained Europe on no fewer than three occasions, feels the Perthshire venue will favour the home team.

He said: "I think Keegan and Jim will tell the guys who are going to be on the United States team what to expect.

"It is a heathland course in the middle of Scotland so they should be good in those conditions.

"But the good thing about the course is that the Europeans know it well because they play a tournament on it every year on the Tour. That gives them a big advantage.

"That was crucial when Europe won at Valderamma in 1997. We played tournaments on that and it made a big difference to us.

"It is a big plus for us that we are at Gleneagles this year. A couple of players have made negative comments about the PGA Centenary course over the years. But I have always liked it. I think it is a good test.

"Plus, the atmosphere will be incredible.

"Jack Nicklaus designed it as a stadium course. There are a lot of big mounds and natural amphitheatres on every fairway and every green for the spectators to stand on."

His nephew, Stephen Gallacher, has a fantastic chance of making it into McGinley's team - he is currently in 11th place in both the European and world points list.

The Bathgate man played the last time the event was staged in this country - at Muirfield in 1973 when Great Britain and Ireland were beaten 13-19 by the United States.

He believes that having a Scot on the European team would be significant as they bid to retain the trophy they won in such memorable fashion at Medinah in 2012.

He said: "We would all like to see Stephen in. I think everyone in Scotland would like to see a Scot in the side. I am sure Paul would like to see a Scot in the side.

"Stephen is making progress and has done well. He won a tournament this year, lost in a play-off in another and has played well in big events in America.

"He knows he has to play his way into the team and can't expect a wild card. But he has a chance."