Team Europe have the advantage at this year’s tournament, according to 2002 Ryder Cup winning captain Sam Torrance.

Speaking to AceOdds.com, Torrance said: “I honestly believe Team Europe are favourites. We’ve got a very strong team. 11 of the 12 from the last Ryder Cup are back in and the only change is Højgaard – from Nicolai to Rasmus.

“The big bonus for our rookie, Rasmus, is that he was there in Italy two years ago. He was in a buggy, he was on the course, the opening ceremony. He saw everything. He was with the team, so he knows exactly what’s coming. So that’s a bonus for us.”

“The US has three rookies I think. I never bothered about the US team. When I was captain, we’d arrive on a Sunday night and the practice rounds were from Monday to Thursday, I didn’t watch the American team once.

“I didn’t watch them hit one shot on the range, or on the course. I didn’t look at their pairings. It’s just not worth it because you try to pre-empt yourself and you can easily get it wrong.”