Europe captain Paul McGinley believes next year’s Ryder Cup will be a heavyweight contest which will again be decided by the narrowest of margins.

The Europeans have won seven of the last nine biennial contests, including the “Miracle of Medinah” comeback from 10-6 down last year, causing the PGA of America to ask Tom Watson to reprise his role as captain at The Belfry in 1993, the last time the US tasted success on European soil.

But although McGinley accepts Watson’s assertion that the home side will be favourites at Gleneagles, he is not expecting a repeat of the record nine-point wins he was part of as a player in 2004 and 2006.