A claim by Graeme McDowell that the Ryder Cup might have to be played less often because these team events "lose their shine" for leading Americans when they play in them too often was shot down by visiting captain Tom Watson and one of his most experienced players at Gleneagles last night.

The Northern Irishman, who ended a 40-year European wait for a US Open victory at Pebble Beach in 2010, had claimed that the demands on the opposition, who also face the Rest of the World in the alternate years, meant some of them would like to see the Ryder Cup take place only every three years.

"I think it's difficult for a lot of the stalwart Americans who play year-in, year-out Presidents Cup, Ryder Cups," he said. "I've spoken to a few of them and they are of the belief that this needs to be every three years so that they can play a Ryder Cup and a Presidents Cup and have a year off. I would be a supporter of that.

"I think for their level of engagement they need that because when you look at the Tigers and Phils and Strickers and Furyks who have played eight, nine, 10, 12 of these in a row, they do lose their shine.

"This event has become such a global spectacle and such a huge passionate, emotional week, we want them [the Americans] to be into it as much as we are."

Watson made it clear that he understood what had motivated McDowell's comments, but also that he is in no way in favour of any change to the Ryder Cup schedule.

"I am concerned about how much these players are playing before they reach the Ryder Cup," said the American captain, who first played it 16 years before Jordan Spieth, the youngest member of his team, was born.

He said he had made that point about the intensity of the late season schedule on the US Tour as long as two years ago to its officlals.

"I said, 'these players are playing seven out of eight tournaments or eight out of nine tournaments in a row. They are tired. That's just too much golf. . . too much golf, but just the way it is. If they could rectify that by a change in the date or the way these tournaments are played prior to it that would be great for the Ryder Cup."

However, he does not believe that should involve a change to how often the Ryder Cup itself is played. "I had not thought about a three- year cycle. I still like two years. I think that's just right," said Watson.

Furyk, one of those cited by McDowell as in danger of being over-golfed, was even stronger in his support of the current sequence.

"You know it's been every other year since the thirties, is that correct? So I'm quite happy with the way it is and enjoy it," he said.

"I'm not making any excuses for the way we've played, but it's not difficult to get up for the Ryder Cup or to be excited or to feel rejuvenated.

"I love the fact we play every other year and I wish we could do this every year. I would be excited."