Padraig Harrington says home course advantage could become a problem in the Ryder Cup, although the favourite to lead Europe in 2020 does not think that's the case at the next US venue Whistling Straits.
Harrington, who is the leading contender to follow Thomas Bjorn as European captain, believes a neutral course set-up is the way the Ryder Cup will eventually go - but not for some time yet.
"It's not impossible to win away from home, but it does give a distinct advantage to the home team," said Harrington.
Asked if the set-up of Ryder Cup venues should be taken out of the hands of the home captain, Harrington added: "I think down the road, yes.
"At Hazeltine they just knew. They had a stats guy come in and he said we make more birdies than the Europeans, make this into a birdie-fest and we should win. We knew going into France, make par be very precious and Europe will have an advantage and it proved that way.
"I don't see that changing. I might have started the conversation off, but it will take 20, 30, 40 years to move to a neutral set-up. I don't think it's going to happen very soon. (But) if it keeps going that we win in Europe, they win in the States..."
Whistling Straits not so good for Team USA
Europe's Miracle of Medinah victory in 2012 is the only away win in the last seven Ryder Cups, but although home advantage is still huge, three-time major winner Harrington feels Whistling Straits offers the visitors more hope than most American tracks.
"For whoever is captain next time, I think the American players aren't that happy that it's at Whistling Straits," Harrington added.
"They know they'd have a better chance of winning the Ryder Cup if they went back to a Hazeltine-style golf course, rather than going to a links-style course in the States.
"The players are very aware they would have an advantage over the Europeans at their traditional-style golf courses. While they will try to set Whistling Straits up to suit them, from our side we hope they don't have as much wiggle room as they did with the likes of Hazeltine.
"Home advantage is a distinct factor. Thankfully, whoever is the captain the next time round is playing at Whistling Straits, which is a European-style golf course. Let's face it; if we were going to Riviera it would be so hard for Europe to win on that style of course; US to the bone.
"(They should) just turn up at Hazeltine every year, it's a pretty guaranteed win there, it gives such an advantage."
Harrington wants captaincy clarity
Harrington was at pains to point out that he is not taking anything for granted in terms of the captaincy, especially as he knows of two other names in the hat for the role, with fellow 2018 vice-captain Robert Karlsson understood to be among the contenders.
But he would like the decision to be made relatively soon, despite Bjorn feeling there is no need to rush into naming his successor.
"I keep getting asked and I'm trying to say it hasn't been decided, but once you start talking about it eventually it starts looking like I think I am," Harrington added. "It puts me in an awkward position so I'd prefer the clarity.
"I understand what Thomas is saying in that it is a distraction, but being the captain in the States is different to being the captain in Europe. In Europe you're heavily involved in the set up of the course and different things. It's 18 months of your life."
