Armchair fans can expect a feast of action when the Ryder Cup starts on Friday - if they are Sky Sports subscribers.

Sky are planning to show 32 hours of saturation live coverage, bolstered by another 18 hours of highlights.

And, as if to illustrate the cavernous gulf between the resources of satellite and terrestrial TV these days, the BBC have a measly three one-hour programmes of highlights.

Sky's coverage is led by Ewan Murray, whose hushed tones are rapidly becoming as familiar to satellite viewers as the whimsical delivery of the BBC's Peter Alliss.

Murray is convinced a European triumph and drama similar to the tear-jerking scenes at Oak Hill two years ago is in prospect.

"There's a lot of pressure on players in the Ryder Cup," says Murray. "When you are playing for yourself if you make a mistake it's your problem, but in an event like this if you make a mistake it's your team that suffers.

"But I can't see any weaknesses in the European team. Colin Montgomerie, in particular, is a great team player, the mainstay of the side with lots of experience."