Should we blame Nick Faldo for Ryder Cup defeat?

Just like he infamously sang when he won the Open Championship in 1992, Nick Faldo did it his way.

It was always going to be fascinating to see if a man who built a tremendous career as a player by being single-minded and often insular, could turn his hand to captaincy. His strengths were always based around the individual, so could he inspire a team?

The European players all rallied round their leader throughout the week, sprinkling the word "respect" whenever they were asked about him. But there is no doubt Faldo ruffled feathers even within his own side.

He left Lee Westwood out of the Saturday morning foursomes against the Englishman's wishes and then opted to load the bottom end of the singles pairings with his big-name players, by which time the match was already over.

Faldo said afterwards that he would not have done anything differently, but should he have done? Did his tactical naivety cost Europe the Ryder Cup or would they have lost anyway? Did his slip-up in revealing his Friday foursome pairings have any bearing on the result? And would the atmosphere within the team have been any better had Faldo attempted to get the press on his side, rather than mocking them with his "sandwich menu" lie?

Or is this more about the American team? Was Paul Azinger simply too clever? Were the American players just too good?

Read The Times's analysis of Faldo's captaincy and then let us know below if you think he was to blame for Europe's Ryder Cup defeat.

Comments

[Mike Adam]

Faldo was always the wrong man.
He made a mess of it and remains deluded.
USA might have won anyway with home avantage, lets see how Boo and Co cope with Wales !

[Michael McNabb]

Nick Faldo is Nick Faldo. His strengths and weaknesses are well known. This should be no surprise.

What was a surprise was the poor play of Harrington, Garcia and Westwood. If you wish to have a sacrifice on the altar of defeat, perhaps you should start here as their play was well below what one would expect from Europe's leading players.

[Vic Boyd]

Azinger was undoubtedly the better Captain, he had the best tactics and the greater depth of thought. Maybe Faldo will one day get over himself but clearly that has not happened yet. Faldo never again!

[Bryan]

Of course we should blame Nick Faldo - that is the British Press Corps' way. Let us ignore the fact that our big four - Garcia, Harrington, Jimenez and Westwood failed to turn up. That 6 of our 12 failed to win a match. That Harrington and Westwood asked to go out last. That Garcia asked to go out first. That we won the first 4 singles 2 and 1/2 to 1 and 1/2 thus getting the start we needed. That at the turn Wilson was 3 under yet 3 down. Of course it is all Faldo's fault. It was always going to be!

[Forest Jonny]

I think the writer has it spot on. Faldo has been, and can still be hailed as a great golfer of his time. However, despite lots of people saying this would obviously make him an ideal candidate for managing and inspiring a team, they are just SO wrong.

A quick test for all those who will no doubt leap to his defence. Who enjoys and is inspired to work when their immediate manager is a selfish, arrogant single minded person who does not ask for or listen to advice? If anybody says they thrive in such an environment, they are lying to everybpdy including themselves.

I'm not suprised the likes of Garcia, Harrington and Westwood were walking around from day 1 with worried expressions, they were not used to turning up and performing in this event under that mantle of management ethics.

I am sorry, but great golfer though Faldo was, he has none of the skills needed to manage and support a team.

[Jonathan]

There are a number of variables at play which need closer scrutiny for us understand better what we lost so badly, some of which should be raised about Faldo.
However the USA team played as a team for the first time in many years and the fact that Woods wasn't playing helped their cause.
Wodds is the best player of his generation by a country mile but his prescence in a team event is hugely unsettling.
The USA Team played out of their skin and Azinger rightly deserves full credit.
He also deserves credit for being able to change the rules for selection. Having 4 picks was a terrific assist.
Also playing on home turf helps and I thought the US support was terrific.
So what about Team Europe.
Some key players misfired and badly.
Is this their problem or should the captain have taken more responsibility and done more.
Leadership is a precious skill.
Brierley was a fantastic example of a leader who could bring out the best in individuals and the team.
Faldo's blunt refusal to have more Generals around him backfired.
His wildcard decsions, especially Poulter, worked although you never know how Clarke might have done.
In some ways losing will give Team Europe an edge next time out but we should take time out to reflect on what happened and ask ourselves some seious questions about:
1. Player eligibility. 4 picks seems fair and sensible
2. Captaincy and the skilsets required. It's no longer good enough to say it's Buggins turn!
3. The resource around the Team to help them fulfil their potential i.e. recruit the best motivational sports trainer
4. More media training. The Media will hurt you and the team if you put a foot wrong. Faldo was very naive in this regard
5. More time together. The US team all play on the same tour and know each other well. To achieve a real team spirit takes more than a few days so additional time should be built-in to devote more time to team building
Start planning now and I'm sure that in 2 years time we'll be holding the trophy aloft again.

[Richard]

It would be easy to blame Faldo, but also unfair. To say that he loaded the bottom end of the lisitings with his big names is disingenuous - you don't get much bigger than Sergio, and he was stuffed leading the line. What if Faldo had played Harrington first, and he had lost just like he did when playing last. Would the media have said Faldo should have kept his powder dry? Ultimately the US won because they played better, and had the rub of the greens. Isn't it amazing how much better their team gelled in the abscence of Toger??

[Faisal]

Blaming Faldo is ridiculous. Credit has to be given to the US rookies like Kim, Weekly, Holmes, Perry to produce scintillating golf.. its best analyzed at http://sportzinsight.blogspot.com/

[Mia]

the USA team played better... and that' s it .

have a nice day: I go to play ...

[Noel DAIN]

Well done Nick.
I hear the Americans have named a Town after you, it's called

[Nigel]

Rather unfair to blame Nick Faldo. The European team was overall a disappointment, in particular Garcia who tried to play mind games with Kim only to be sorely defeated. The young Spaniard is always so full of himself but on this occasion he was truly trounced in all departments.

[Annie]

Faldo was in charge, so he carries the can, when he's not throwing cans of Red Bull into the crowd!
Given how well the US guys were playing from day 1, what arrogance to assume Europe would take the trophy at some point during the last four pairings. Was he unaware that key European players were underperforming? If not, why not?
Or was it a case of 'It'll be alright on the (last) night? night?
We were given to understand that Faldo prepares everything to the nth degree. Just judging from the shambles of an Opening Ceremony speech and the only slightly less shambolic closing speech he was anything but prepared. He had two years to prepare for that!
And would someone please give us a break from the WAGS - it gets more bizarre with each Ryder Cup.

I do not think Faldo was to blame. The European selection system is flawed and we should adopt the US system of giving the Caotain 4, instead of 2 wildcards so that "in form players " can be picked.

Also, the imagined "top player" was a total disaster. Like Tiger Woods, he seems to play for himself rather than the team. I think Montgomerie would have been more likely to score points than Harrington.

[Richard Suthers]

I think the Americans must have put bromine in the water, for the European team was 'flat' from the word go. There was nothing the captain could do when the main three (Harrington, Garcia & Westwood) managed only a combined total of 2 1/2 points from 12 matches!

However, the U.S. captain has created a dangerous precedent by setting up the course to suite his players. The disadvantage of having a 'birdie feast' set up that allows everyone to shine is that it negates the difference between the exceptional and the ordinary. It is to be hoped that the Celtic Manor will be a golf course rather than a golf range. With any luck there will be some rough in 2010 and that bogeys, as well as birdies, will be in evidence.

[ed]

It wasn't Faldo's fault but he could have been better. Why do we simply 'reward' former great players, rather than pick prospective good man-managers? Woosnam got lucky but would not be a natural choice were he not a major winner. I've no idea if Monty would be a good captain but if those who know him think not, don't pick him to do it!

[Kent Folgate]

Give Faldo, a perfect gentleman, a break. These Ryder Cup events are simply won by who is putting better during the week. I didn't see Faldo trying one putt. Just relax and enjoy the show.

[Chris O Shea]

It's wrong to blame anyone on the European side - The USA played great golf in the marquee matches. Kim peppered every flag on Sunday - Weekley turned in 29, so did Kenny Perry , Kim turned in 30 , Hunter Mahan and Casey halved in 67 , and of the Americans who won at the 17th hole - JB Holmes was 64 , Jim Furyk 63 , Ben Curtis 61.
If you look at their stats for the foursomes/fourball it is equally impressive ; Kim and Mickleson on Friday went 66 in the foursome and 61 in the fourball --- they played fabulous golf all weekend and so did the European team . It was great to watch the quality of each shot , under that pressure!!!! I am looking forward to the next instalment already and hopefully it will be as good

[Andrew]

I thought Faldo conducted himself well once he got into the swing of things. Clarke deserved to go, ahead of Casey as it turned out, but oh well. One real mistake was leaving big guns till late when two points down. Mightn't have changed the result, but was still necessary. However it was a superb tournament, & I thought how Faldo took defeat showed excellent perspective; it is 'sport' after all.
A few big moments had gone differently- could easily have won the fourballs 3-1- & even with Harrington & a couple of others' poor form, the result could have swung.

[toby]

It seems Faldo is hardly the nicest of blokes - anyone who gets through 3 wives and has so many willing to speak ill of him must arouse suspicion - but what can he do, when his players get outgunned? The Americans played out of their skins, and our guys did well to hang on until the last day. I think if this match was played again this week over here, Europe could well win by the same margin.

[Jim McMahon]

Irrespective of the result and trust me it's not sour grapes I believe Faldo made a complete mess of his Captaincy. From the off his speech was terrible, silly anecdotes about his players (potato reference for Harrington says it all). The introduction of his family one by one was gringe worthy. Once play commenced he was in the way. At one point one of the Europeans was taking a drop and he was literally pointing at where he should drop and standing beside him until he was moved. In my opinion Faldo see's himself as a charismatic genius, no doubt he was one of the all time great golfers but there it ends.

[Michael]

Leave the poor guy alone. He did his best. What more can one ask. The US also had an extra highly charged team member - the crowd, who inspired the auccessful US players. On the day, they were an unbeatable team

[Jack]

He was a great Individual but that does not make a CAPTAIN a Captain leads and motivates the Team and Faldo proved by his actions he is incapable of thinking of or motivating anyone but himself, YES he carries the can that is the CAPTAINS job get used to it. SO Captain Calamity aka Faldo the last memory we have of that EGO of yours is YOU LOST the Ryder Cup by doing it YOUR way and the record books will show it.

[Jack]

He was a great Individual but that does not make a CAPTAIN a Captain leads and motivates the Team and Faldo proved by his actions he is incapable of thinking of or motivating anyone but himself, YES he carries the can that is the CAPTAINS job get used to it. SO Captain Calamity aka Faldo the last memory we have of that EGO of yours is YOU LOST the Ryder Cup by doing it YOUR way and the record books will show it.

[Tom Howell]

How can you blame Faldo for sending out the 'big guns' last, given that Harrington and Westwood were seriously out of form and lost their matches?
I think the real problem was that it all began too well on the first morning. When the US team started to play, the European players could not react and lost the session heavily. This must have encouraged the US players enormously, and gave them a lead which they never surrendered.

[Paul]

Faldo did not make the best of captains but some of the more experienced players also failed to deliver especially when it came to the singles matches. Garcia and Harrington in particular.

Poulter played amazingly well winning 4/5 points and justified his 'captains pick'. If Clarke was to be chosen he should have replaced Casey who proved his poor form by not sinking unitl the 17th on sunday.

[Mark Dixon]

The bottom line is that our big guns (Harrington, Westwood and Garcia)were not firing on all cylinders and the team were not making the putts when needed (except for Poulter, McDowall and laterally Karlsson). The Americans played inspired golf and the order of play would not have affected the outcome.

Faldo was heavily criticised for selecting Poulter yet Poulter turned out to be Europe's best player and played all five matches.

Europe lost because the players were outplayed by a better side on the day. Give Faldo a break and look forward to trying to win it back in 2010.

[Lassie]

Can we look at the Stats please. In the last 2 tournies, the US played pretty poor (above Par average), so Europe played well and won.
With US scores at averages of 5 to 7 below Par this time, how can that be blamed on Nick Faldo?

[Jonathan Piper]

Oh dear, did he mock the press regarding sandwiches comment. How awful how dare he, how sensitive can you be. This was about European golf, not faldo and certainly not journalists ego's. The agenda of the press (I'm afraid the press and John Hopkins being a leading example) was clear from the outset. This did nothing but harm the positivity around the european team. The US were outstanding and deserved to win, maybe next time we can stay positive from the outset and stop trying to be divisive before we've even started.

[William]

It makes no difference who captained the team from Europe...it just wasn't their year. You Brits say what you want about Nick Faldo, the bottom line is that Ian Poulter was HIS pick and without him it would have been a worse blood letting then it was.

[Tessa]

Nick's strategy was not perfect but the bottom line is that "Garcia/Harrington/Westwood" totalled an appalling 2-1/2 points !!!

[Goonter]

No, he is not to blame.Seems some of the media just wanted Faldo to flop, he got the big decisions right, like Poulter, like dropping Monty..how was he to know that he'll be let down by his big players Garcia,Westwood etc. Harrington doesnt have a good record at the Ryder Cup anyway, so putting him at the anchor was probably a good decision Europe got beaten by a better USA, that's the bottom line! Just because Faldo is not the most likeable character doesnt mean he should be critisized wrongly....thats just taking the easy option.
PS: Boo Weekley, what a star..i could watch and listen to him all day, plus he plays some decent golf too!

[Diego]

Forget about Faldo. Every finger should be aiming Garcia, Harrington, Westwood & Jimenez. If Garcia would won his single match (I think he has won only one single match in 5 Ryder Cups) today we would be congratulating each other for another European win in American soil. But Garcia was really far from delivering his game. I am from Spain and I feel really bad for loosing this Cup and I am very sorry for all Europeans who believed in Garcia to win the first and more crucial point on Sunday. Americans were sinking every putt during the 3 days and played their best Ryder I've seen in many years, but the good news is that we were so close to win it again. Also I have to mention that from the TV it looked that this year the american crowd was more polite, but the gestures from Azinger, Kim, and Boobooo must be forbiden in this competition.

[Edward Smith]

You Brits are magnanamous in giving all credit to our team. We Yanks can get a little over-amped with victory, sometimes. Thanks for your understanding. We do enjoy these contests and I agree that, on any given weekend, the results could be
different. Compelling Television!!

[Ash]

A stroke of genius by Faldo to pick DJ Spoony as his lieutenant.

[George]

US played better on a course suiting their bomb and gouge game. Europe's top players a disappointment. Instead of Faldo, I would hold Ballesteros responsible: his comments were a)true and b) made sure the US players, captain and spectators DESIRED the cup much more than the Europeans, something you could feel throughout and is very decisive at the top level in sports. Personally,I find the Ryder Cup since Kiawah has degenerated into something no longer in tune with its or golfs original spirit, more akin to a football match and corresponding spectator and sometimes even player behaviour.

[Roger Wornell]

No one can be surprised about the English Press and their attack on Nick Faldo. Ever since he gave them his views about them on his Open winning speech they have always taken every chance, (and invented a few as well) to get their revenge.
It is easy to see how the English press is widely viewed by the rest of the world as the World's nastiest press. Their huge Ego, refuse to accept any criticism, and create any story to match their own agenda is
very sad for England. This story of their view on the Ryder Cup defeat is only too typical.

[bob heinen]

if we need a pit bull captain - Z.
fans cheering Europe misses -
an idiot person wearing a sheet and
jumping out with a "BOO" at an
English golfer.
rotten remarks to players .
how far down have we come in a
gentlemens game ?
are we soccor fans or golf fans -
where is our outrage for bad
behavior by US ???

[Chuckles]

Nice try at dumping this in Faldo's lap. He made the right captain's picks and that's all he can do. Then it is up to each player to pull their weight. Westwood choked. Plain and simple. He can cry all he wants, but he just choked. Sergio was sick, but won't admit to it. Harrington is the Irish equivalent to Mickelson in Ryder Cup play. Horrible.

[Anthony Hollis]

I blame the Press, who were scathing in their attack on Faldo when he picked Poulter. Former players chipped in with almost universal agreement that Clarke should have been picked before Poulter. I hope they all apologise for getting it wrong, and for putting Faldo into a bunker mentality before the match started. It is a fact that other than Poulter and Rose our best players failed to perform, which is why we lost. All the Americans played up to their best.
I would like to change the way in which the captain is picked, and suggest we give the job (of picking!) to Gordon Brown.

[Franc - USA]

The fans in Kentucky acted badly fueled by alcohol, Azinger, Boo and others. This is golf not football. Pathetic. I am a big fan, as our many other Americans, of Padraig, Justin, Carlson, Sergio, Lee and the others. They did not deserve the abuse heaped on them by these drunks. The American team played better and deserved to win. The UK press and pundits should not be piling on Faldo. They never liked the somewhat arrogant and aloof Faldo but blaming him is silly. The American team played well while many of the Americans fans in Kentucky acted like fools. Golf is about sportsmanship not hooliganism. The fans should have enjoyed the oustanding golf and saluted all the players for their efforts.

[David (Hoylake)]

So the autopsy has begun, and a scapegoat must be found! Sadly, but predictably it all seems to be being laid at the door of the Captain, Nick Faldo.

I appreciate when it comes to Faldo, he polarises popular opinion. Love him or hate him as a personality and speeches aside (the man’s a golfer not a media savvy politician) in my view as European Captain, he has barely put a foot wrong during the 2008 Ryder Cup.

Team selection throughout the weekend can not be questioned. When he had the courage to leave out Westwood, Garcia, and Harrington for underperforming he was proved correct. Their collective contribution was disappointing for players that were odds on to be top points scorers. The contentious choice of Poulter over Clarke, again inspired (and please stop with the now alternative “it should have been Clarke over Casey” argument – No one battered an eyelid at the time as Casey was a widely endorsed choice!). The only thing I would have tweaked is by adding Karlsson to the Friday Four Balls. It now also appears the order of the singles was a collective team decision and a gamble that if either Soren Hansen/Paul Casey had achieved a more favourable result would have paid massive dividends!

The only thing that has disappointed me this week is the British Press. Unable to let bygones be bygones, they just had to keep sticking in the needle, seemingly desperate to see Faldo fail and fall on his face. That said Faldo certainly didn’t help himself this week when openly showing his frustrations during press conferences. However, I watched all of the “Sandwich Gate” press conference and it was ‘Car Crash TV’. Faldo’s dead pan delivery about lunch orders was met with a constant refusal by the Media to except the humour, demanding admittance that he had made a mistake. It’s been said by journalists that ‘Faldo showed disrespect and contempt for the Professional Press’ that day. In my opinion after listening to the inane, uninventive and repetitive questions that Faldo had to answer, ‘professional’ is not a word I would have used to describe the media.

On the plus side it was a marathon weekend of golf that after watching has left me physically exhausted. The story twisted and turned and was utterly compelling viewing; add to which the standard of golf on display was of the highest standard under the most extremes of pressure.

Disappointingly, it seems that ‘hindsight’ is a popular pursuit nowadays amongst journalists and the public alike. In the cold light of day the European team fell just short. Despite our top guns not firing, the difference between the teams was miniscule. It is unfairly reflected in the 5 point deficit and was hardly a crushing defeat. “If its and buts were candy and nuts” – if a few holes had changed hands differently Europe would have been coming home again victorious yet again. That said the Americans on this occasion were the better team. They were quicker out of the blocks in the first session and never looked like surrendering their advantage. ‘Putting’ was the area they shaded and they thoroughly deserved their moment in the Kentucky sunshine.

Let’s hope the spectacle will be as enthralling when the circus next comes to town in Newport. Unfortunately, with the Circus comes the clowns’, masquerading as always as ‘professional’ journalists who wouldn’t know a fair and accurate story if it hit them in the face like a proverbial custard pie!!

[Sam in Mex]

Amazing that eh, no-one so far has, eh, commented on the, uh, atrocious
mangling of ,eh, our native tongue
eh, by uh, Renton Laidlaw. Three days of eh his inanity and his "eh" "uh" and "eh fine shot" plus "thee first time" etc, etc, ad infinitum, was, eh, more than we
expats could, eh stand. If you, kind
eh readers can't read this, uh, why thee devil does he SPEAK like it?!

[Andi S]

Faldo's team came to his defense, making it clear that the final outcome lies with the players. They didn't produce this week, and that is why they lost. I believe the European media successfully sabotoged their team morale with their disturbing, obsessive digging at Faldo. He's an undeniable passionate sportsman with a colorful personality, and hardly deserves the disrespect his nation heaps upon him.

[ROB]

As a golf professional myself, I found the level of play for all three days extraordinary by all 24 players.

So what did Faldo do wrong exactly? He chose Poulter - who was inspired and our best player by far. He put our "strongest" players on paper out on day 1 and they were destroyed by the US. The European big names could not close out when in commanding leads on the front 9. Not Faldo's fault - the players have to perform and they didn't - leaving too big a hill to climb against an extraordinary US performance. Would anyone else have chosen a different line up on day 1? I doubt it.

Day 2 Faldo rested Garcia who was ill and Westwood in the morning. Westwood in the interview the day before said he was not used to 36 holes a day at his age. If he wanted to play in all 5 sessions maybe he should not have said that. Day 2 was the only day we won. Put that down to Faldo's choice of players. Wilson played amazingly well.

Last day - it was inspired golf by the US team again. Sergio - who was now rested and fresher - but let's face it does not have a great record in the singles - was taken apart by Kim who played amazing golf. And Sergio is one of our big guns apparently. Faldo's fault? I don't think so!

If Wilson had played Campbell in the last match he would have won 5 and 4 - but he was in the middle order and lost 4 and 2 against an extraordinary display of golf by Weekley. Would anyone know that BEFORE the day commenced?

Hunter Mahan's putt on the 17th was just pure luck. It was travelling so fast that they must have repaired the hole after. And he STILL didn't win the full point with one up and one to play. Give Casey credit for that. Casey played the 18th perfectly. Oh and wasn't he a Captain's pick? - yes I believe he was. So Faldo got that right too it seems.

Just applaud the US team and leave Faldo alone. It was amazing golf by both teams. The players were hitting the ball stone dead from 180 yards and the US team constantly putted in from 20 to 30 feet. If you want to know how hard that is without any pressure let alone the Ryder Cup on the line go out and try it some time.

The US were just better on Day 1 and Day 3 when it mattered. THAT is not the European Captain's fault. It is not the US Captain's inspiration either. At the end of the day the player's have to perform or not - the US team just did it better at the right times. On another day, with the same players and line up, Europe would have won just because of the player's performance on that particular day. That is nothing to do with the Captain of either team.

If you don't like Faldo's character, that is your choice, but as a golf professional you cannot fault him. As a Captain he had to rely on his players and that the US would not play as well as they did. There is nothing he or anyone else could do about either.

[Michael B]

Faldo's strategy was not to blame for defeat, had he been able to pick 4 players things may have been closer, but we were beaten by a USA team whose captain legitimately stacked all the odds on their favour.
Europe must do the same in 2010.

1 Same number of Captains picks for both sides.
2 Set the course up to suit the Europeans.

[Jerry]

I was very proud of the golf played by both sides. I don't think anyone should "hang their head", and Faldo did a good job... Garcia is a great golfer, and starting him out of the gate was not "leaving his best until the last".. Who would have thought that Anthony Kim would simply steam-roll Garcia and set the pace of the whole day?

[Lonny Hawkins]

The Americans went out there and just had fun. They didn't calculate each shot, they hit for the pins. You guys didn't think you would keep that cup forever did you? I hear Wales is beautiful this time of year....

[Alg]

Don't blame Captain Nick Faldo or even the players. I think that the American players discovered the formula for wining and why the European Team dominated the Cup in recent years. Captain Azinger assembled players who had a fire burning in the guts. If you recall Woods and Michelson were teamed once and Europe ate them for supper. This time the Americans played together like a team truly appearted to like one another. The Americans played extraordinary and the Europeans struggled...a reversal of the past 3 Cups. I look forward to 2010 to see which team prevails!

[Stewart Dstewwwduncan@aol.com]

While i agree that he made some good decisions as a captain, in general he got it all wrong. The US team were fantastic and played inspired golf, yet Europe never matched it. Our top players never performed but i guarantee a diff captain would have got more out of them. Faldo's approach to this whole ryder cup was a joke. it was always about him rather than the team, every previous captain told him he needed more help and his EGO wouldnt listen. Yes the big players flopped but i for one never expected to win ths one with Faldo. Azinger inspired and motivated..Faldo just expected the team to win for him.

[Robert]

The fault lies with the whiner twins Westwood and Garcia> Instead of crying about being "shouldered" and "phone calls late" PLAY BETTER. I as an American like Harrington as a player, but he looked exhausted. Poulter has a bright future. I would have loved to see Darren Clarke

[Jim]

Faldo was a disaster as Captain. His ego didn't allow room for any team chemistry. Look at past Euro teams and contrast that with the complete lack of excitement with this team. The difference comes down Faldo and not having Clark on the team. Clark and Monty have long been the heart and sould of the Euro team. That intangible cannot be overlooked. Yet Faldo wanted to prove how smart he is - well done NICK. Ever wonder why he was despised as a player. Now you know, he is a Knob!

[John Brockest]

If Faldo is to blame then the only reason you have ever won the cup is on the shoulders of the greatest of them all Jack Nichlaus. Had he not changed the rules and had all of Europe included there would be precious little interest in the Ryder Cup. I cheer for only terrific golf shots and I watched that all 3 days. Congrats to the winners and the losers you are all great players and to the captains thanks for giving up 2 years of your time for so little thanks win or lose.

[William C. Quill]

Please show some respect for one of the greatest golfers ever. If he did anything wrong, it was expecting his team as a whole to show the same level of competitiveness and fire that Ian Poulter demonstrated(and for that matter that Nick did in his days.) Europe could easily have been in the position to need firepower at the end, had certain of the players played to their capabilities.

[Andy Caldwell]

Faldo was a brilliant golfer but communication and man management skills are strangers to him as demonstrated by his bizarre opening address, Poulter selection debacle and inexplicable final day order. I don't blame Faldo as his behavior was only Faldoesque but those that selected him to be captain in the first place.

[michael ord]

The fault lies with the players. Garcia and Harrington just didnt perform and they should have been our top2. Leaving out Westwood and Garcia was justified and his singles selection was only wrong because they lost. Originally the top 4 were "wrong" but they got 2 1/2 points. The problem lay in the middle 4 where the USA were way too good for our guys.
Selection needs to be looked at. Oliver Wilson did his best but how does a man who has never won a tournament get in to the Ryder Cup team? 4 picks next time and a minimum of 2 tournament wins in 2 years for any participant. Nick Faldo should try again, he knows what it takes to win big. The press had it in for im from the start, so this story was - in spririt at least - already written. Wasn't Faldo getting slaughtered for picking Poulter as well? I see that thise who criticised that are not quite so quick to pat Faldo on the back for selecting the only man on either side to get 4 points.

[NEAL ROTH]

Not saying that Faldo was perfect, but, key players did not perform as expected and Faldos pick of Poulter was appartently right on.

[TopbritUSA]

Great job Nick, you cannot be blamed for the failure of those around you who could not do what they were supposed to..play golf!

[rich rokosz]

GET OFF FALDO! Both Karrlson and Rose won their Sunday morning matches picking up early points. If Garcia had won his Europe would have made up all the ground it needed, possibly forcing the cup down to the last pairings. Unfortunately (for Europe) the failures of Garcia, Westwood and Harrington earlier hurt them...not Faldo.

[sean]

people in america dont care about the ryder cup. its only 45-65 year old white guys. its like 1/10 of the population. they watch it after waxing their ford tauruses and checking out their retirement funds

[Phil McCavity]

The Americans were inspired and deserved to win. But perhaps some of this inspiration, which Europe were lacking, was due to the respective captains? And with only one vice-captain, it was difficult to provide support for the players on the course.
Nick Faldo's wild cards came in for a lot of criticism, but basically they worked out well. Bottomloading the singles didn't work out, but it's easy to be wise after the event.
Nick Faldo was a great player. However his personality is an embarrassment, as was borne out by his excruciatingly tactless press conferences. Although this doesn't necessarily make him a bad captain, perhaps some of the more mature members of his team did not respect him a person. He seemed to emphasise the more youthful side of his team ( DJ Spoony etc) and got a good response from them.
But is it just coincidence that NONE of Europe's older more-experienced players did well, or is this something to do with Faldo's arrogant style of management?

[Mike O'Meara]

I think everyone should give Nick a break. He has been one of Europe's finest golfers, ever. He has always shown that he is a great sport and a gentleman. I always thought that if I could have one golfer's career it would either be Nick's or Gary Player's. He might have done better by frontloading the Sunday singles matches, but other than that I think he did quite well. When his big guns did not come through for him, what was he to do. He can not be blamed for that. And by the way, who cares about his divorces and all the tabloid rot. He has been one of Europe's finest for decades, and from an admiring American, you should all feel very grateful for all he has given you.

[David West]

Please can the idea of Buggin's Turn be put to bed forever. Just because a golfer has a wonderful Ryder cup record, it does not mean that he will necessarily become a good captain. The two best European captains over the last 10 years were probably Langer and Torrance. This might be unfair but I never really felt that Woosnam as captain made the sort of difference those two made.

I think it is fair to politely query the performance of the so called best and most experienced of the European team. Their lack of performance left Faldo exposed and open to criticism, some of which was given more credence by his clumsy way of handling things.

Further let us please name a captain one at a time rather than nominating Woosnam and Faldo at the same time.

Finally who does it next time? If Langer was prepared to do it again, then look no further. By all accounts Olazabal acquitted himself very well in his position as vice captain, he would be another good choice. However the captain must come from mainland Europe this time.

[TC]

"lets see how Boo and Co cope with Wales !", I say pretty good when his 30-06 sighted in. Do I need to explain to you what a 30-06 is? P.S. he is a redneck boy from LA. That is Lower Alabama area for you. We are mighty happy w/ him. As for Nick? Leave the man alone, he did great and this implant American is proud of him.

[DS]

When Garcia, Westwood and Harrington can't manage a single point, its going to be difficult to win. Oh well, at least we Europeans are gracious during the matches, in victory, as well as defeat, unlike the Americans.

[Bob Evans]

Faldo to "blame"? Don't be daft!

Those men on the Ryder team were professionals, not a bunch of youngsters who have to be trained, guided and psyched up by a coach to win. No, the team was a bunch of journeymen INDIVIDUAL golfers who knew their job. It is just that on these particular days they did not meet the challenge. The week before, maybe. The week afterward, perhaps.

Don't go around trying to find a scapegoat, especially the captain of the team who has no control over how those individuals perform under pressure.

[Andrew]

Yes, that strange man Gordon Brown should decide, cos it's still all just about Britain, isn't it, with a few foreigners making up the numbers.
Clarke certainly deserved a first choice, with Flado then deciding between Poulter and the rest, and he'd have almost certainly gone for Poulter, so all would have been for the best.
Still, as the all-time greatest REyder Cup points scorer, much of the abuse Faldo has gotten has been ridiculous.

[Andrew]

Casey got one point out of three, Rob, hardly holed a putt, and, given his blunders against Mahan, should have otherwise beaten him quite easily. You can hardly claim that was some kind of triumph for his selection. Clarke over Casey would almost certainly have been an improvement.

[Andrew F]

You can't ignore the role that Nick Faldo played in Europe's loss. I'm sure he wouldn't want you to ignore his role if they had won!

If the captain/manager is not significant, why do clubs/countries in all sports pay so much attention to selecting them? Why not, in the English Football premiership for example, just use the stats to pick the best English player in each position and have Fabio Capella (the current England manager) play them a bit of "pump up" music and send them out "to do their stuff"!

Maybe there are more similarities with cricket or baseball, but there is a lot for the captain/manager to do to get the best out of a team.

The USA were captained better and that contributed to the players feeling good and performing better. If that sounds familiar, then that's because it's been the mantra of the European team over the past 4 Ryder Cups.

Azinger and co. got more out of the USA team through excellent captaincy. And that "more" produced inspired pairings, stunning golf and ultimately a greater belief that they would win.

It is disrespectful to suggest that the Faldo and team didn't try their best to retain the cup because they played their part in an excellent competition.

Ultimately, Europe were out-led, out-thought and then out-played by the better team. Congratulations to the USA.

Who ever plays the best golf on that day is the winner. no excuses.

[Jonathan Card]

You hate golf, you hate golf, you play a good shot, you love golf. Of course Nick is not to blame, I have a 13.8 handicap and I played a round at the weekend better than Garcia did, the week before I played a round where I would have had a handicap of 59! You have good days and you have bad days. Unfortunately the Americans had more good days than our guys! You win some, you lose some.

My vote however would be to make Mr Montgomerie a captain.

[Dave]

Performance dictates and the star trio of Garcia, Westwood, and Harrington scored 2 1/2 pts out of a total of 12. Faldo was a leader, classy, and has done his job well. Why are you trying to fault him for the poor play of others? You've got gaul.

[Jane Gould]

well, they had to give Faldo his turn. thank goodness that's over and (as generally expected) he lost. Frankly, anyone who has ever read anything that Mr Faldo has written would have known that he is ego on legs and incapable of seeing anything from anyone's point of view but his own.
Tunnel vision made him a great golfer. one of the all-time great golfers. But a Ryder Cup captain needs humanity and humility to properly lead his peers.

[Jay - New York]

For the last few matches the American side was brandished as being unemotional as they got drummed by the Euros. Why is it that now that some fresh young blood has been infused by the likes of Kim, Weekley, Holmes and Mahan we are back to being "Ugly Americans"?
These guys aren't allowed to get excited? Do you folks across the pond have such short memories? We over here sure remember a young Sergio acting like an ass for much of his Ryder career, but especially in the beginning of it. Please don't even begin to lecture about fan behavior. The American players have heard enough of the "Ole" song for the past few matches. So now the hollows of Valhalla will ring with the cheers of "USA, USA" for the next two years. Why is that such a bad thing for the team that played a little better?
The golf on display by both sides was magnificent for all three days. That is the memory I will have of these matches. Superb shotmaking, precise putting and the emergence of players such as Kim, Poulter, Karlsson and Weekley under the intense pressure of a Ryder Cup. I can only hope that we see it's equal in Wales.

[Annie]

If losing the Ryder Cup is in NO WAY down to the Captain, then logic dictates the Captain is purely a figurehead and of no consequence. With that in mind I hereby throw my hat into the ring of nominations. As a former professional actress I am very much at home in front of an audience. I can wear a costume (sorry, team outfit)and I have an excellent grasp of the English language and can learn a script quickly. Why should it be a man?!!
Useful tip for whoever is handed the poisoned chalice: - a smear of vaseline over the teeth and gums is invisible and guarantees you can still keep on speaking fluently even with a mouth as dry as the proverbial Sahara due to obvious nerves and lack of communication skills.

[Dave]

You Brits have gaul...attempting to blame Faldo.
12 pts at stake...Garcia, Westwood, and Harrington score 2 1/2 combined....Enough said.

[S.HICKEY]

Blame no, It would be interesting to know if the European scores this time would have won the last two Ryder cups, I expect they would. Also if we had stacked the top order, with our so called best, and the Americans had put the five players who shot between 63 & 65 they would have all lost handsomely, credit where credit is due, I played a match play scratch ko last week losing on the 18th shooting 75 to a 74 I birdied, he eagled, you just have to shake the opponents hand and say congratulations! The Ryder cup was great sport and sportsmanship and we should all be thankful..

[pk ripper]

Take away Nick Faldo and his six major titles from the modern proessional golf record books. Where dose that leave the UK's status among the golfing elite? Are you even relevant? Consider that before you pop off about the Greatest English golfer of our time. The Sour Grapes Brigade and their 'pity party' will be missed here in the U.S. Two years can't go by quick enough.

[Steve Hamill]

I as an American believe that there were certain things that Faldo could have done differently. The Sunday Singles should have been top loaded; however, did anyone see the caliber of golf that the US was playing? They were playing out of their collective skins. I could see if the US was playing marginal golf and Europe was still losing, but the US hit the big shots in the big moments.

[John Hudson]

Absolutely inspired golf from members of both teams - but the Americans had a higher percentage of top performers during the whole tournament.
Generally it was the less experienced Ryder Cup players on both sides that produced the great golf with 5-7 under par rounds and we were treated to a fine display, Europe will rise again no doubt - but don't be bitter at losing as golf will teach you that every day it can and surely will be different "Thank God!"
As for the next captain we can just hope that certain members of the Press can be appointed to the Selection Committee then write to their hearts content about how the Captain determined the result - irrespective of individual players contributions during the tournament!!!

[Monty Fan]

You and the rest of the British press have some serious nerve, no wonder most of your famous athletes leave the country (Becks to mention one). Seems as though the British press have something against Nick Faldo, and that they waited for this day since 1992 when he thanked the press from the heart of his bottom. Consider this, England's last major winner in golf, tennis, was????

[Roger Wornell]

Now has time have passed, can the Press now, quietly and calmly, accept that they made a massive blunder about the way they handled the Ryder Cup. It was clear from the very start, and right to the end, that they had their own little agenda to run, and were going to take their chance to unload their bile about Faldo.

[Andy kidd]

In retrospect,it's easy to say things-like he should have done this and this and this,however it's taking a lot away from the USA team,to say that Nick Faldo single handedly took down the team.Lets go with the simple fact that Garcia,harrington and Westwood scored 2 1/2 points between them,the Americans played well full stop.look his decision to leave out Westwood on the Saturday,may or may not have made a difference,his singles orders may or may not have made a difference-everyone is talking in retrospect-it probably wasn't the best decision,but it could have been a barnstorming finish if a few games had turned out differently,i am South African and was supporting Europe,big time-but the USA team played with fire that the europeans normally have,the Americans won it fair and square-NO Captain would have made a difference,

[Miami Brit]

The USA deserved to win. They played better golf and had more spirit than the Europeans. Faldo was not entirely to blame, but he is an indecisive leader, with a childish tendency to undermine his competitors, and in his subsequent commentry work has proved to be immature and bitchy. Next!

[Howard Florence]

The USA beat us on the greens...You can't blame Faldo for that.Home advantage too. Maybee if Harrington,Garcia and westwood had played to their potential. Maybee just maybee