Faldo talks up Euro Ryder hopes, but is Montgomerie in a muddle?
His own attempt to steer Europe to Ryder Cup glory two years ago may have ended in ignominy, but Sir Nick Faldo reckons his replacement as captain, Colin Montgomerie, can bring home the bacon next week.
Montgomerie will bid to claim the spoils at Celtic Manor against an American team regarded as the underdogs, even by their captain, Corey Pavin. And Faldo agrees with that analysis, telling Sky Sports News: "On paper we are the stronger team - very much so."
"It's real European golf this time of year, nothing more than 45 degrees [Fahrenheit] this morning," the 53-year-old added, referring to the benefits that the cooler climate may lend the European players.
"If they are teeing off at eight o'clock and it's just turned light and the Americans have just come from Atlanta where they are bathed in 85 degrees sunshine, I assume - they may get a bit of a shock from that early morning kick-off."
Faldo also had a word of caution however, adding: "It's all down to that particular week and how well everyone is performing. Who makes the putts at the right time and who hits the shots at the right time - that's what it all comes down to."
Faldo was criticised for his approach at Valhalla golf club in 2008, both for a seeming failure to foster the right team spirit, and more damningly for his tactics. Earlier this week Montgomerie also accused Faldo's men of lacking passion. But Monty himself has already provided the press with opportunities to question his leadership, even before the competition begins.
Earlier this week the Scot told a press conference that he had already told his players they would all be in action on the opening day of the tournament, only for Luke Donald to dispute that assertion yesterday, telling reporters: "I have not spoken to Monty in regards to pairings yet. So no, I don't know who I'm playing with, if I'm playing, when he's going to play me. I don't know yet."
Okay, that's scarcely Watergate, but Monty should know that any discrepancies may come back to haunt him; the captain is already under scrutiny, having granted a wildcard pick to the under-performing Padraig Harrington over Paul Casey, who currently leads at the Tour Championship.
The sharks are circling already; should Casey win on Sunday, the scent of blood will be heavy in the water. Let's hope that doesn't portend carnage for the Europeans in Newport next week.
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