Sky Sports - Ryder Cup

The last few weeks have allowed us to have more than interesting debates and with your inclusion in this column, I have enjoyed the way you have participated.

As I have said many times, everyone should be able to voice their opinions in this far too politically correct world.

Last week's column was entitled Faldo 0 Azinger 1. Well that has changed, and we will discuss that later.

There are some of you who put forward your pairings for our side this week and to Andrew Norrby, Robert Keenan, Scott Beaumont, Derek Field, Niall Smith, Guy Marsh, Conor Liston and Phil Hopkins, you put a lot of thought into them and I'm sure you will see some of them together at Valhalla. Mark Davidson was nearly as thorough as Nick Faldo will be on Thursday night!!

Rob Davis had doubts about Nick as did one or two others, but Pete Coley, Kevin Young, Neal Stanborough and Joshua Simons had no doubt Nick was the man to lead our side.

David Byrne was one who wished Ian Poulter well, as indeed the rest of the side. Fraser Preston voiced his opinion that the spirit of our side will win the day.

Johnathan Emerson said I had a pop at Nick Faldo as did Mark Metheral, which I don't think I did. No one gets really close to Nick because that's the way he is and chooses to be. That's not a criticism, just an observation spanning 35 years. I would not make Nick out to be something he is not, and when I have been in his company, I've enjoyed it.

Some of James Bromley's words on Paul Casey and Darren Clarke were a touch inaccurate, some were not. Another interesting note came from Owen Craft. He said that Azinger will open up on Friday with J.B. Holmes and Kenny Perry, both of course hail from Kentucky. I would think J.B. is in the team with fourballs in mind so he may have to wait until Friday afternoon for his debut.

All in all good stuff, but it is now time to forget our opinions and get behind the European side as they try to make it four in a row.

No stone unturned

It's Nick's that count and one thing we can be assured of, our six-time major winner will have left no stone unturned in his preparation. I hope he succeeds, because it would a fitting tribute to his excellence in what's been a golden career.

Past captains have expressed their concern at Nick's lack of vice-captains, but Nick has always done his own thing and been successful doing it, so why should he change that? He and his assistant Jose Maria Olazabal have played in 18 Ryder Cups between them, so no shortage of experience there.

Faldo has admitted he trusts nobody to take advice from and he is keen to ensure that his is the one voice in the team room. That is not a swipe at Faldo either. Nick is just being himself and is doing what he has always done. Faldo 1 Azinger 1.

His invitation to Martin Kaymer to join the side in Louisville shows much thought and caring. We would all agree that is a really fine gesture to a youngster who lost his mother this year and missed out on automatic qualification by only a few Euro.

Faldo has recognised he is a Ryder Cup star of the future and Martin's delight at accepting was etched over his wide smile. Faldo 2 Azinger 1.

The wildcard debate was the most popular since this column began a few years back and many, including myself, were surprised at the inclusion of England's Ian Poulter.

That debate, and what the written media have said, has heaped pressure on Ian and as I said last week that is unfair on him.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing. If he had chosen the same schedule as Justin Rose, failed to make the top ten and then got picked, no one would have batted an eyelid, as at that time he was 23rd in the world rankings.

I suspect had he played in Holland and Scotland, Ian would have made it by right. It's the captain's choice as far as the wildcards go and he chooses them to compliment his side.

My wish is that Ian wins every point in the matches he plays. Many think he is flash, the truth is that he is confident in his own ability. I have not spoken to him, but like everyone who receives criticism, it hurts.

Faldo will have spoken to him personally over the last two weeks and he and Paul Casey have had that time to fine tune their games.

Our wildcards and our rookies have been very important down the years and in this year's contest, that remains so.

Shot

When the "shot of the year" is picked, it will surely be Padraig Harrington's second at the 17th in our Open. For me, it would be Oliver Wilson's second to the par five 16th at Gleneagles during round two of the Johnnie Walker Championship.

Four outside the cut line and seven holes to play, Oliver eagled the 12th. A lay up at 16 short of the water would have made the four he required tough.

A driver off the fairway was struck perfectly and pitched in the middle of the green. Wilson would make the cut on the mark, then go on to record two rounds in the sixties.

Should he need to remember how good he is during this week, all he has to think of is that moment. Oliver is a top player and when his first win comes, the second will follow quickly.

Robert Karlsson's win in Germany was brilliantly timed and that is a further boost to Nick's side. Miguel Angel Jimenez also leaves Heathrow in great form and Soren Hansen's top ten will help his confidence.

The last American to win was Parker McClachlan at the beginning of August and that was in the Reno Tahoe Open which was played against the Bridgestone Invitational. Before that it was Chez Reavie who won in Canada. Faldo 3 Azinger 1.

Azinger has decided to take his team to meet Muhammed Ali when they touch down in Louisville, Ali's home town. A superb piece of thinking, and if the greatest doesn't inspire them, then nothing will Faldo 3 Azinger 2.

Healthy

Ahead of this Ryder Cup, the European Tour has never been healthier and with the "Race to Dubai" beginning next year, it's important to hang on to Samuel Ryder's legacy.

Many years ago, we had half a dozen good players and then struggled to find a strong tail to the team. This year, we could have put in a second 12 and been confident they could get the job done. See if you agree.

Darren Clarke, Colin Montgomerie, Martin Kaymer, Ross Fisher, Paul McGinley, David Howell, Luke Donald, Thomas Levet, Carl Pettersson, Daniel Chopra, Nick Dougherty and Peter Hanson. There are a few more in that category, Finch, Dyson, Hansen etc, and half of that side have Ryder Cup experience.

On paper, we should bring the Ryder Cup home next Monday and I'm confident we will. For the first time however, Europe are hot favourites, so that is something we have to deal with. The Americans are underdogs for the first time and it's how they deal with that that may be the key to the result.

Friday morning's foursomes will be hugely important for both sides. If Europe can get off to a fast start, I don't think it will be long before the Americans become demoralised.

Should the momentum go the other way, it would be just the lift Azinger is hoping for. It is therefore important that Faldo starts with strong pairings and I would expect to see the following line-up for the opening session.

Harrington and McDowell
Rose and Poulter
Karlsson and Stenson
Garcia and Westwood.

That would leave Jimenez, Casey, Wilson and Hansen to come in should Faldo want, in the afternoon fourballs.

The Americans will do the same and the more I think about it, our reader, Owen Craft, may well be right in saying Holmes and Perry will lead their side.

J.B. Holmes and Kenny Perry
Mickelson and Mahan
Kim and Furyk
Stricker and Cink

That leaves Weekley, Leonard, Campbell and Curtis until later.

So that's that, and this wonderful event is all but upon us. Sky Sports will be on air virtually all of the daylight hours from Kentucky, so we can look forward to all of the drama, emotion and excitement this match will surely provide.

Enjoy it and thanks again for your responses over the last month or so. From my position, I can't be biased, so allow me this. Go Europe, and give Faldo the jewel he deserves in his golfing crown.