The gods of golf were in Valhalla (the Kentucky version) this week for the start of the countdown to the 37th Ryder Cup. Yet while Paul Azinger, the United States captain, spoke with optimism about the US regaining both the trophy and their enjoyment of the event next September, he gave warning that next year’s packed schedule could affect his team’s chances.

Azinger, sharing a press conference with Nick Faldo, the Europe captain, said that the US, who have lost the past three Ryder Cups, had suffered a loss of morale as a result of Europe regularly making a strong start.

“When the United States gets behind as often as we’ve got behind, it’s difficult to look like you’re having a great time,” he said. “You have to take your hat off to Europe. They have gotten us down and gotten us down early.” In the past three Ryder Cups, Europe have led by one, four and five points respectively after the first day.

Azinger said that the Americans had regained their enthusiasm in winning the Presidents Cup against the International team in Montreal last month, helped by a 5½-½ lead after the first day. “America got off to a great start and everybody was happy-go-lucky,” Azinger said. “Maybe they were more relaxed going in and that’s why they played better.”

While his chances have been improved by having four wild-card picks instead of two, Azinger is unhappy that the FedEx Cup, a four-tournament competition played over consecutive weeks in the US with a prize for the overall winner of $10 million (about £4.9 million), will end only five days before the Ryder Cup.

Azinger observed that only three Europeans played in THE TOUR Championship [the FedEx Cup finale, won by Tiger Woods] this season. “There will be more Americans [involved] that will be Ryder Cup players so, scheduling-wise, it would affect us more,” he said. “It would be more of a chance for burnout. There’s some rumour they may play THE TOUR Championship the week after the Ryder Cup. The date of the Ryder Cup is written in stone; that’s not going to change. We’ll see what happens.” Jim Furyk, the world No 3, has also criticised the schedule, saying that many of the team would put national honour over $10 million. “Guys will analyse their schedules and priorities,” he said. “For a lot of players, the Ryder Cup is very, very important.”

Meanwhile, Faldo brushed aside criticism of his captaincy style after reported disagreements with Colin Montgomerie at the Seve Trophy last month. “There’s no fallout,” Faldo said. “I had a good experience at the Seve Trophy. I will do what I feel is best. I served under five different captains, each one had great qualities, and I will take little bits of that experience. But, bottom line, I’m going to be me.”

He added that the Ryder Cup was “unique in any sport” for its team spirit. “I’ve seen men lying on the floor of the locker-room either laughing or crying,” he said. “It’s amazing what we will put ourselves through for one point. It’s greater than the Davis Cup in tennis, to have 12 guys playing purely for a point; it’s quite electric.”

In previous tournaments, the electricity has exploded into an angry storm, but Azinger and Faldo, who spent two years commentating together after their playing careers waned, said that next year’s event will be conducted in good humour.

“Things have changed,” Azinger said. “I never heard [Faldo] complete a sentence in the 20 years I knew him [as a player]. Now his voice-activation system has switched on and you can’t turn it off.”

“We got to know each other a hell of a lot more than in our playing days,” Faldo said. “There will be moments, I’m sure, where we will lock horns and there will be moments where we have a damn good laugh.”