The last two matches have finished in record 18.5 to 9.5 defeats for the USA, so having fresh faces may be just what the hosts need.

“We have six rookies on the team, which I think is a good thing,” said Stricker, one of Azinger’s captain’s picks, ahead of his first Ryder Cup appearance.

“We haven’t experienced those defeats in the previous years.

“We’re not thinking about what’s happened in the last few Ryder Cups. We’re thinking about what we need to do this week, how we need to prepare and to play our best and move forward. We’re looking forward.”

Stricker, at the age of 41, is realising a career-long dream by playing at Valhalla this week and knows more than most the importance of seizing opportunities when they arise.

A two-time Comeback Player of the Year award winner, Stricker has become one of the steadier players on tour, armed with a strong putter and a determined demeanour but even he is excited about the event.

“This has been a dream of mine since becoming a tour member,” said Stricker, who turned professional 18 years ago.

“It’s a great opportunity, something that I’ll have forever, these memories and thinking back.

“I think it’s important for us to get off to a good start, obviously to gain some momentum and just roll from there.”

It is also important to prevent the fragile team confidence from cracking – a key factor which has helped Europe to victory in four of the last five matches.

“It was painful to watch to tell you the truth, to watch fellow tour players and friends go through that,” said Stricker of the recent encounters.

“It didn’t look like they were having any fun, and rightly so.

“The Europeans looked like they were having all the fun in the world, and rightly so, they were drumming us.

“We hope to do the old role reversal this year and make the putts and have the fun and be the team on top.”