Half of Europe’s Ryder Cup team may be competing in the event for the first time, but former captain Paul McGinley believes rookies Danny Willett, Andy Sullivan, Chris Wood and Matt Fitzpatrick, Rafa Cabrera Bello and Thomas Pieters can overcome their inexperience.
The latest instalment of the biennial competition gets under way at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Minnesota on Thursday.
McGinley, who had three Ryder Cup virgins in his European side when they defeated the United States at Gleneagles in 2014, told listeners of RTÉ 2fm’s Game On: “It’s certainly a challenge, but I think they’re really good players for a start.
"A lot of them have the attitude and particularly the form coming in to the Ryder Cup.
"Form is so important. We can all play very well, but it’s a question of are you on an up or a down in terms of your confidence, and I think a lot of them are coming in here with a lot of confidence.”
One man who should be bursting with self-belief is Rory McIlroy, who took the Tour Championship after a play-off at the weekend, and in doing so landed the richly-endowed FedEx Cup.
"It was inspiring from a European perspective to see him win last weekend, particularly the way he won in a high-quality field," McGinley admitted.
After a lengthy association with the tournament, the Dubliner’s role in 2016 will be confined to commentary and a round for past players.
"It is strange," the Dubliner said.
"I’ve only missed one Ryder Cup - 2008 - since 1999.
"It is strange coming to a Ryder Cup and not being on the inside, but life moves on. I’ve got plenty to keep me occupied this week."
Reflecting on his own experience and the challenge facing Clarke and his team, McGinley said: "There are different opinions out there but for me the captain’s role is an important one because, first of all, you’re creating the vibe behind the scenes.
"I wanted a fun atmosphere, I wanted a relaxed atmosphere, and communication and clarity to each individual player, so that they know exactly the role they had to play.
"Then you come into the strategy and who is going to play with who, which is obviously very tricky.
"Another thing which people overlook, which is really important, is what order you are going to put your team out.
"We all know how important momentum is in a Ryder Cup.
"What are you going to do to make sure that you don’t lose momentum, or if you do lose it, are you going to put a strong player in there that holds it if you do happen to lose a couple of matches.
"That relates more to the singles than it does anything else.
"The order you put the team out in the singles has been proved in previous Ryder Cups is so critical to how you do because momentum plays a huge part. It all happens at 100mph.
"A big challenge that Europe have this week is obviously going to be the crowd, and trying to keep that crowd as quiet as possible.
"Don’t let them get raucous and don’t let the American players feed off that energy."
The 49-year-old also believes that the roles played be vice-captains Sam Torrance, Paul Lawrie, Thomas Bjorn, Padraig Harrington and Ian Poulter will be instrumental.
"There are so many different things that the captain is doing the whole time, and of course you need feedback as play is ongoing," McGinley said.
"That’s where the vice-captains were massive for me.
"I got them to read each game and based on that I was making decisions going forward.
"That’s how I saw my role."
