Nick's head on the block
NICK FALDO, captain of Europe, says he can see “nothing but a win for his team at this week’s Ryder Cup, while the American skipper Paul Azinger agrees that his side are definitely “the underdogs” even when playing at home.
The bookmakers are not so sure. They reckon there is nothing to separate the teams, and have rated them even money bets for the event being played at the Valhalla course in Kentucky.
After three successive Ryder Cup victories, and with Tiger Woods missing for the USA, the omens should point to a triumph for Europe.
But the bookies are never dumb. They have heard the heavy rumble of discontent about Faldo – about his controversial wild card choices, his lack of close support, his arrogance – and their odds reflect the growing concern of European supporters.
Faldo is without doubt the greatest British golfer of modern times, but that doesn’t necessarily make him a good leader of men.
My gut instinct is good
His own cocksure certainty is no guide. He says his reputation for being “a solitary individual” doesn’t matter because the Ryder Cup captaincy is a lonely job and “it suits me”.
Perhaps. But there is a convincing history of gregarious men like Seve Ballesteros and Ian Woosnam being ideal for the role because of their inclusive nature and extrovert enthusiasm.
The Americans are quietly happy that Faldo’s surprise and much-criticised choice of Ian Poulter ahead of star Ryder Cup veteran Darren Clarke has created tension in European golf circles.
So often it is the US team that appears to be divided, but not this time.
Europe’s top player Padraig Harrington openly expected Clarke to be selected, and Clarke himself revealed he had phone calls or texts from most of the 12-man team saying they were “amazed” he would be missing.
The decision has heaped the pressure on Faldo.
And it has definitely not helped Europe’s captain that he changed his criteria for the wild card selections at the last moment. Having said for months that form would be vital, he then ignored the in-form Clarke.
Inconsistency of word and deed is bound to have an impact. Will Europe’s players believe in Faldo’s rhetoric? How much will it affect morale?
Across the pond there has been no such contentious debate. Instead, Azinger has been talking confidently about the importance of strong team spirit, and expecting his bunch to be a tight unit.
Another widespread criticism of Faldo is that he will have only one vice-captain, Jose Maria Olazabal, to back him up. Originally, he lined up Paul McGinley as another, but the Irishman quit the job a year ago and has not been replaced.
Former skipper Bernhard Langer was openly critical on this issue last week, and Azinger has three men in his support staff.
Faldo’s response is dismissive, and when asked if he was a control freak, he replied: “If somebody comes and gives you information would you trust it 100 per cent? Would you make a decision on what somebody else had seen?”
Clearly, Faldo is not keen to delegate trust and judgement – but isn’t that what good leaders have to do?
In the Ryder Cup there are always four matches out on course on the first two days, and the captain cannot be everywhere monitoring form and mood. Sceptics say Faldo may miss a vital trick because of his lack of faith in others.
The concerns don’t end there. European newcomer Graeme McDowell said what many were thinking last week when he wondered about the possible combinations in the team.
In the past few matches there have been some banker pairings like Clarke and Lee Westwood. This time? “It’s a difficult team to put together,” said McDowell. “There aren’t a huge amount of obvious pairings.”
Despite the fact that this European side has more players in the world’s top 50 than in previous showdowns, there is optimism on the American side.
Golf legend Jack Nicklaus, a canny observer, says: “Even without Tiger Woods the USA team should win easily. I just believe we have better players – and I believe our players are better than the perception based on recent Ryder Cup results.
“Yes, Europe has a lot of good players, and a lot of very promising young golfers. But who among them has a great record?
“In my view there’s no reason the US team should lose.”
Maybe that’s just part of the mind games in the build-up. But, if so, the Americans are winning that battle hands down.
Faldo’s main weapon is his immense personal conviction. “My gut instinct is good,” he said last week. “And I’m pretty well prepared to say and do the right things that will help this team win.”
The jury is out on Faldo, though. There is no instinctive warmth towards him as there was to Woosnam and Ballesteros when they won the hearts and minds of the team. He is taking a tougher route to glory or failure.
What can be said for certain is that Faldo has put himself foursquare in the firing line.
In Norse mythology Valhalla was the “hall of the slain”, the resting place of those who perished in battle. Will Faldo the Ryder Cup captain end up there?
The Teams
USA
Captain: Paul Azinger
Phil Mickelson
Stewart Cink
Kenny Perry
Jim Furyk
Anthony Kim
Justin Leornard
Ben Curtis
Boo Weekley
Chad Campbell
J.B. Holmes
Hunter Mahan
Steve Stricker
Europe
Captain: Nick Faldo
Paul Casey
Sergio Garcia
Søren Hansen
Padraig Harrington
Miguel Angel Jiménez
Robert Karlsson
Graeme McDowell
Ian Poulter
Justin Rose
Henrik Stenson
Lee Westwood
Oliver Wilson
